Inspired by the basalt columns in Kálfshamarsvík I designed various columnar structures thinking about the concept of a pile of angled forms. I wanted to use Icelandic materials so started to wash some of the sheep fleece available to us. After 5 washes the smell had gone! I carded some black, grey and white and used it to felt some samples. I had ideas of wrapping it around another columnar form creating layers. More samples were made and I introduced some lime green wool inspired by the lichen marks on the rocks. The inner parts became black columns which I stuffed with waste yarn from the looms.
I then found the knitting machine, although in a poor state I managed to make some samples using Icelandic wool from the supermarket in various shades of grey. My samples developed to include holes and uneven hems. These became the outer columnar layer which wrapped around more black knitted columns.
I experimented with adding lime green embroidery in numerous ways and then piled them up at different angles.
These forms are developing further with thoughts of alternative knitted techniques, fabric wrapping, including other Icelandic materials and also making on a much larger and smaller scale.
Tara Kennedy
