The textile work of recent Masters graduate from Massey University, New Zealand, Michelle Macky is inspired by the unique relationship between oil and water. Surface Chemistry is a collection full of intense colour. Macky comments ‘Once combined the two substances create random, uncontrolled, unpredictable patterns and bright iridescent colours, producing the rainbow oil slick. Photography captured the relationship in-depth highlighting areas of fluid movement and containment. Surface chemistry is the study of physical occurrences that happen at the interface or meeting point of two phases. Using the two textile processes, digital print and weave, the idea of Surface Chemistry is portrayed, creating a new relationship on the surface of each textile.’
Truth to tell
Katie Loux reports from ‘RugLife’, currently showing at the Museum of Craft and Design in San Francisco