ANNIE TAYLOR

Whitstable, UK

Someone once asked the question “has she really nothing better to do?” whilst avoiding meeting the eyes of one of Annie Taylor’s larger than life Big Dolls; soft sculptures if you prefer. 

The twilight world of the carnival sideshow is where her imagination dwells; those liminal spaces where mermaids and fairy folk flirt with carnies and Kahlos. Inspired by the nostalgia of childhood and the escape offered by storytelling, there is often a darker message lurking beneath the stitches. Most of the material she uses is preloved and is a little worn and frayed around the edges. It often brings its own story along for the ride and dictates how it should be used. 

People began to assume her hand embroidery was free motion stitching, so she taught herself to draw with her sewing machine and enjoys the imperfections that brings. She has used her illustrative figures for one stop motion animated story, and dreams of automata. 

She is also co-founder and curator of the Profanity Embroidery Group.

Find out more about Annie

Blog: https://whitstabletail.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whitstable.tail

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitstabletail/

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@whitstabletail7165/featured