Winner of the 2011 Craft and Design magazine gold award for textiles, Dionne Swift, has recalled how it was her grandmother who gave her the advice that has led to her success.
Holmfirth artist Dioone has become well known for her Devore work, which is a process that etches away a textile. The textile professional studied at Goldsmiths in London, but her passion for her work began a long time ago.
“I’ve been doing this type of work for 15 years now, Devore is something I picked up and I’m known in textile circles for it,” she said.
“But it was when I was ten or 11 both my grandmothers taught me different textile techniques. One used to make smock dresses and embroidery – they both passed on their skills and from then I became interested in textiles.”
She began her further education in the arts when she was 16, but she always remembered her grandmother’s advice.
“They taught me to break the rules,” Dionne added. “They never stuck to a pattern, they’d always make the pattern themselves and that’s what I’ve done.”
Now when she teaches other people, she encourages them to break the rules and try something new.
Dionne has just moved into a new studio that is open to the public on Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth.
Dionne’s work has been displayed in many different places including the Arts Markets. She has always been a fan of the markets: “I’ve done the Holmfirth ones and they are brilliant because it’s right on my doorstep and a great way to become part of the local creative community and wider community.
“There’s a good buying audience which travel from further afield too, a couple of interior designers from Manchester came over and saw my work and commissioned me.”