Current Projects
      
 

The Dementia Darnings
Jenni has been working on a series of large sewn portraits of her mother who has Dementia since 2011. They were made initially in response to well loved photos from the family album, but developed as a vehicle for Jenni to respond as her mother’s health gradually deteriorated. Issues around the inevitable loss of memory are explored through the techniques and materials used. She has made 17 portraits to date.

In 2017 they can be seen at Salisbury Arts Centre in January and February; Somerton, Ace Arts, Somerset in March and April; Bridport Arts Centre over Dementia Awareness Week and at Museum Rijswijk inThe Hague, Holland from May through to September.
   

Article in T x P: Textile Plus for more information about T x P visit (www.textielplus.nl)
There will be two new portraits showing with 'Through Our Hands' at the Festival of Quilts at the NEC in Birmingham in August 2017.
                       
 
Salisbury Arts Centre
Conceptual Clothing
Jenni uses the subject of the female body and clothing to work with the concept of absence and transformation, exploring associations around memory through her mixed media constructions. The initial idea may come from a certain feeling, or a thought, or from sensations evoked by playing with materials, combining them and letting connections develop through a variety of processes. Sometimes a particular feeling of unease or discomfort manifests itself in the piece, through combining certain materials with forms alluding to the female body. This series has been extended with the latest dress entitled 'Beautiful Things and Memory Dress Two' made alongside the Dementia Darnings.

The Mosaics/Assemblages developed from the Conceptual Clothing series, still using the female form, on which narratives and darkly comic themes can unfold. The use of old discarded china and jewellery that have their own history gives a nostalgic feel and the fact that the bits are broken adds to the sense of loss. In many, the inner space of the torso is broken into allowing a whole new sequence of ideas to be imagined. This work is being developed through the project:- ‘The Journey. Exploring the Nature of Mending’ initiated by artist Jacy Wall in association with Walford Mill Crafts. Jenni Dutton worked with The Priests House Museum, Wimborne, Dorset Exhibition, September 2013 at Walford Mill. Here broken dolls became the focus.
Jenni is now collaborating with a group of artists on The Museum of Objects Research. This project is at an early stage of development.

January 2017

     
website by Sara Fairfax sarafairfax@hotmail.co.uk