“art started my healing journey.”

THROUGH THE BREATH WE HEAL

This is where it all began, I went through a traumatic experience in my life both mentally, physically and spirituality. Something that would have broken many people mentally.
I was in a dark place and needed to see the light. A beautiful soul who I have known for years Marleen, supported me through counsel as a form of breath work. Breath work is where you move stagnant energy around the body so it flows more harmonious, which adds balance to the body and mind.

I had my last session with her and I was starting to feel a bit better, confident that the breathing techniques she had given me would assist me on my healing journey. I remember that day like it was yesterday, the session was done at my home and afterwards I went upstairs and picked up one of my big necklace statement pieces that I had designed from my fashion collection and presented it to her as a gift, to say thank you.

She was happy to receive it, but then she walked up to the wall and said something on the lines of "This is such a beautiful piece, have you ever thought about interior design as this would look beautiful on a wall?" I said no as I was a fashion designer at the time and interior design wasn't my area of interest.

After the session for days I kept thinking about what Marleen said so I decided to go to the art shop and buy a canvas and some art supplies. Wasn't sure of what I was going to do but knew I had to do it.

I took apart one of my necklace pieces, adding some threading as I was doing this on clothing at the time and added embellishments. Creating it was a calming experience there was no expectation just fun and exploration.

When it was completed, I wanted to show Marleen what I had done and she loved it and, in that moment, looking at the beautiful abstract purple piece I created, actually symbolised what I had gone through. And I realised that this piece had started my healing journey.

After that I showed it to my brother who loved it but said "Have you thought about doing celebrities?" I said "No" but went away and started hand embroidering celebrities/icons on canvases like Bob Marley, Marilyn Monroe, Amy Whinehouse, Scarface. I even created a piece for the actor Morris Chestnut and presented it to him at an event.

Hand embroidering was quite taxing on my fingers, and I wanted to try something else, as working on canvases was great. However, my curiosity had me wondering, if I can go 3D and somehow apply the threading on a mannequin. I had quite a few mannequins from my fashion background I could use, but with a lot of failed attempts at that point I couldn't figure it out. On the other hand, I had a massive bag full of colourful wools and said to myself I wonder if I can cover the mannequin in wool. And so, I did strand by strand starting with the face, moving down to the body, I intricately glued the wool to the mannequin. It was all freestyled and I was in a zone connected to my source; it was as if something was channelling through me it was an amazing blissful feeling.

Constraints was born and she is a beautiful vibrant piece that exudes energy. After that, my curiosity led me to trainer customisations, cushions, furniture, you name it. If it excited me, I wanted to do it. I finally managed to work out how to get the threading on to the mannequins. This has all manifested in the beautiful pieces that you see before you today.

I can say that through adversity there is happiness, joy, love and light. Had I not gone through that traumatic experience none of what you see today would have been birthed. Looking back and connecting all the dots, it had to happen this way. It was my experience to bare. I am appreciative and grateful for the bad things that happened, I even forgave the person that caused the hurt and it was a massive weight lifted off my shoulders. It took me five years, but healing takes time. Without this experience I wouldn't be the artist that you see before you today and I'm constantly evolving, mentally, physically and spiritually.

So, through the darkness remember there will always be light.

Karla Cornwall