Kate Jenkins wanted to gain attention for her new business and crocheted a small exhibit of her favorite British foods. She now creates realistic-looking food with knitting, crochet, beading, embroidery and more.
How did you get started making fiber art? Why did you choose that medium?
I began my art practice back in 2007 when I first started my brand ‘Cardigan’ which was a fashion accessories label where I sold scarves, hats, gloves etc.
At the time I needed to promote my website and I wanted to do something different to stand out from the fashion competitors so I crocheted a plate of fried breakfast and took part in The 2007 Brighton Artists Open House Trial. I had no advertising budget back then and had just moved into my studio shop (where I still operate). I needed to gain attention and customers so I created a small exhibition entitled ‘Comfort Food’ which was a crocheted exhibition of the nations favourite British Foods. This consisted of 30 plates of food ranging from A Fried Breakfast, Fish and Chips, Sunday Roast Dinner, Sausages and Mash and so on..
I chose the medium of yarn and sequins as I used all the techniques I had incorporated in designing garments over the years and transferred this to creating works of art.
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What different creative media do you use in your work?
I use a whole range of techniques within my work including machine knit, crochet, embroidery, beading, sequinning, photography, print and anything and everything else to achieve the exact effect to make everything as beautiful and realistic as I possibly can.
Is there an overarching theme that connects all of your work?
My main message is to have fun and make people smile. I think the visual jokes I put into lots of my work communicate with all people regarding their gender, age or nationality.
How does your environment influence your creativity?
I think it is important for me to live in a vibrant busy city such as Brighton (UK) as it never fails to influence and inspire me. I feel I am incredibly lucky to be near the beach and also the countryside so I have the choices around if I want to go for a big beach walk to clear my head or pop into town to go to see a gig, dine out with friends or just hang out in a bar and catch up with my creative friends for a gossip and and a laugh.
Does your work have stories to tell?
I think over the last few years I have been travelling much more to different parts of the world with my work and this obviously is very apparent in some of my pieces.
A great example of this is the ‘Cafe Kate’ show I created for the Rijswijk Museum in The Netherlands where I had a three month solo exhibition. This featured a dedicated Dutch area where I made Smiley Stroopwafels, Apple Tarts, Cones of Fries with Mayonnaise and of course Pickled Herring with chopped Onions.
I love to get inspired by countries’ local dishes so my travels are always influencing the type of art I create and if I can add a touch of humour that’s like the icing on the cake for me!
When preparing for a creative session, how do you decide what to work on?
I like to give myself a specific theme for each show I work on and it is usually a food related exhibition but I would never rule out anything in the future that was something other than food.
I love to pick subjects that I can get a lot of mileage out of such as ‘The Art of Love’ Bakery’ show in Harbour City, Hong Kong where I created an entire bakery and patisserie shop where customers could go in and purchase knitted cakes, bread etc as if they shopping in a life size bakery. I love to work out how people can interact with the exhibitions, have fun and be inspired when they visit each show I have created.
Do you plan your work out ahead of time, or do you just dive in with your materials and start playing?
I usually give myself at least 6 months to a year to work on new exhibitions as there is a huge amount of time spent on research and development for each show. I need time to devote time to developing techniques to make the work as realistic as possible from trying out embroidery techniques to sourcing the right colour or bead for the food I am trying to replicate.
When is your most productive creative time?
The most productive time for me is always the last few weeks leading up to a show and that is when I get even more creative and inspired.
Do you have a dedicated space for creating? If so, what does it look like?
I have been in the same studio space for over 20 years and it is packed wall to wall with knitting machines, yarn, books, boxes and boxes of sequins and everything I could possibly need to create the work that I do. I spend so much of my time here it is my second home albeit a very messy one!
Have you found something intended for one media that works well for something else?
Always! It usually happens when I am trying out new ideas for things.
Scraps. Saver? Or be done with them?
I tend to keep everything as I never know when I will need to call upon it again for another project.
Do you use a sketchbook or journal? How does that help your work develop?
I always have a big sketchbook on my desk and find it good to have a mini version in my hand bag as you never know when you need to write something down.
I know most people these days use their phones but I do love to flick through my old notebooks as they are my visual diaries and reveal a lot about what goes on in my head and how I felt at the time when I got the ideas and inspiration.
How often do you start a new project? Do you work actively on more than one project at a time?
I find myself constantly juggling day to day as I always have several projects on the go.
Can you tell us about the inspiration and process of one of your works? How does a new work come about?
One of my main sources of inspiration comes from supermarkets and one of my favourites of mine is The Pineapple Hunk which is a hand crocheted pineapple with huge biceps bursting out of a tin of pineapple chunks. When I first saw the tin I looked at the type which read “PINEAPPLE CHUNKS ” and I thought to myself if I removed the ‘C’ from the word CHUNK it would become HUNK and that’s how the idea for the character was created. I often get commissioned to recreate this piece and it always makes me laugh when I crocheted his bulging biceps.
Which part of the design process is your favorite? Which part is a challenge for you?
I really love a challenge and I think the starting point when I sit at the knitting machine and start to create something I haven’t done before is always my favourite process.
How do you know when a piece or project is finished and needs no additional work?
I take lots of photos during the work process and I find it useful to see how they look on screen before signing it off as completed.
How has your creativity evolved over the years? What triggered the evolution to new media/kinds of work/ways of working?
I think it has been a very long but incredibly rewarding and interesting journey for me over the years. I feel my work has improved technically and evolved into a very special brand that is unique to me. It brings me much joy and happiness and I would not want to change that in any way and I hope I can continue for many more years to come, bringing smiles to people all over the world.
Where can people see your work?
Instagram is kjcardigan and website www.katejenkinsstudio.co.uk
Interview posted July 2024
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