A STRIKING show of tapestries and embroideries by Irish artist Domino Whisker is currently on view at Château La Coste, a major arts centre in the historic French city of Aix-en-Provence.
For her first large-scale exhibition outside of Ireland, the Dublin-based artist, who began to experiment with embroidery some ten years ago, has presented a series of works that are informed by her personal experiences of grief, as well as the possibilities of hope and optimism.
“Having not been to art college, I’ve always struggled with imposter syndrome,” the artist says, “but since the exhibition opened, I have had a sense of pride in myself that I have never before felt. If I could bottle the feeling, I would!”
Installation view of Domino Whisker: Stay Awhile at Château La Coste © Francois Deladerriere
Installation view of Domino Whisker: Stay Awhile at Château La Coste © Francois Deladerriere
Titled “Stay Awhile”, the show features a series of monumental rug pieces that boast a vivid palette of pink and red, as well as rich surface textures. Displayed next to each other, in a row, these rounded forms punctuate the space with their lively presence. “I use unusual colour palettes that evoke pure joy for me,” Whisker says.
These denser works are surrounded by intricate tapestries, where the artist’s sparse needlework applied to delicate sheets of cloth conjures up the form of birds, either solitary or seen in groups, which are positioned against blank backgrounds. The motif is especially meaningful as it reflects on the artist’s relationship with her father, who passed away in 2021.
“I saw birds as a means of communication between the two of us; they were the link between me and wherever he was,” Whisker comments. “I have always looked at birds in flight as the most magical thing: the closest thing to a god that I can imagine. They bring me great comfort in my grief; stitching them calms me down.”
Sewing was initially an activity that Whisker turned to during this difficult time, which helped to distract her from the anxiety she was confronted by; as she describes it, “to make my own ‘beautiful’ when I felt like I was living in a nightmare.”
Installation view of Domino Whisker: Stay Awhile at Château La Coste © Francois Deladerriere
Installation view of Domino Whisker: Stay Awhile at Château La Coste © Francois Deladerriere
The technical processes required by the works on display are more than evident and it’s refreshing to visit an exhibition by an artist who is making all of their work by hand.
Whisker reflects that, with embroidery, “every stitch matters, and how you stitch and layer is where the magic happens.” Compared to this intimate way of working, the method of rug tufting, used for the more sculptural works, is described by Whisker as “more relaxing, because you are filling in spaces rather than trying to create a dimensional piece.”
Both of these systems, though, start with a rough sketch of the composition, which is then transferred onto fabric using a projector. “Then the best part— choosing your colour palette, before you start filling in…” she explains.
Installation view of Domino Whisker: Stay Awhile at Château La Coste © Francois Deladerriere
Although the artist hasn’t yet made plans for further exhibitions in the near future, this debut at Château La Coste has certainly set the bar high.
The impressive arts complex is home to five exhibition spaces, as well as some forty outdoor sculptures, positioned over 500 acres, which visitors can take in as part of an Art & Architecture Walk.
Sculptures by Tracey Emin, Ai WeiWei and Alexander Calder are displayed amongst the scenic landscape, alongside works by Louise Bourgeois, Franz West and Kengo Kuma. Whisker is certainly in good company. She agrees: “I think this show will forever be a special moment in my journey.”
By Derby Jones
Domino Whisker: Stay Awhile is on view at Château La Coste until 5 November.