Caren Garfen

I first saw Caren Garfen's work at her degree show in 2007 at Hertfordshire University. Caren was doing the same Applied Arts course as my friend Chris. Looking round the degree show Caren's work stood out for me. Her display area looked like an ideal of domestic bliss. I saw it as a laundry room with clean crisp white embroidered cotton tea towels. I think because my background is in graphic design I was drawn to the simple linear designs she employs to illustrate her work. Outlines of familiar domestic appliances silkscreened on to cotton. Looking closer there was humour in the work, embroidered witty text. With lines including 'She confessed that she often embroidered the truth' and 'She had made her bed, now she could lie in it'. Her work reflects women's domesticity. Monotonous, tedious, chores they are shackled to and want to escape from. I like the subtle way she conveys her message with humour. There is still a stereotype of women that magazines and television continue to portray. I was pleased to see Caren was exhibiting at the Knitting and Stitching show in London. She has expanded her range to include every day domestic items like mugs and teapots. If you would like to know more about this Contemporary Textile Artist check out her website here