Vicky Cowin

Weaver

Velvet patterns and connected symbolism

Vicky has developed a technique to weave velvet
Her designs are rich in symbolic meaning
She weaves to communicate with herself and to others

Vicky Cowin encountered the craft of weaving later in life and rather by coincidence. It changed her life's course. After finishing university and specialising in weaving, Vicky set off on her own, experimenting with warp design and cultivating her distinct expression. She creates rich tactile pieces through the difficult handwoven velvet technique and uses an additional warp to free her creative process. Vicky has also included natural dyeing in her creative process and now grows her own plants from which she extracts natural colours for her yarn. Her work is rich with symbolic patterns that draw the viewer in and invite the touch. "My talisman pieces are about hinting at an ancient secret you once knew," she says. To Vicky, weaving creates a meditative rhythm that establishes flow and connects her to the natural world and our common distant past.

Interview

What power does weaving have, in your opinion?: The moment I started to weave, I became obsessed. How the patterns fell into place made sense to me. When I weave, I experience ‘flow'. I am fully immersed and absorbed. Though weaving is solitary, it has connected me to many like-minded folk with whom I have forged friendships.
How do you approach symbolism?: Symbols are often a hidden way of communicating that only certain people know. I draw on my research on symbols and finding hidden meanings in everyday life in my work. I sometimes weave smaller pieces that I call talismans based on the rich history of using talismans for protection.
What does natural dyeing bring to your work?: I like the slowing down of the process of dyeing and making – an antidote to the industry. It connects me and gives me an appreciation of the natural world as I grow some of the plants myself. After dyeing, I dip or paint the yarn with modifiers to change the colours, often not planning beforehand.
How would you describe your learning curve as a weaver?: Finishing university and solving problems on my own was my first big challenge. Also, learning how to weave velvet was powerful and is a big part of my work today. I can change the yarn or the length of the velvet, and it will look and feel different. Improving this technique has taken time, but it is rewarding.

Vicky Cowin is a master artisan: she began her career in 2010 and she started teaching in 2022