Textile Designer
Telephone: 415-385-4122
E-mail: ellieborna@hotmail.com

Artist Statement

During the final sixteen months of my academic career at the Academy of Art University, I chose to focus my textile studies towards the creation of latex fabrics. For the most part, my work represents the marriage of conventional textile knowledge with mixed media. I create unique fabrics that capture the rare juxtaposition between utility and art. My fabrics are suitable for home interiors, apparel and accessories or, can simply be enjoyed as fine art pieces. I have developed an understanding of commercial consumer motivation in conjunction with learning different artistic preferences while fulfilling my own artistic needs.

Prior to attending the Academy of Art University, I obtained a Bachelor in Fine Art in textile and fabric design from California State University of Northridge. The undergraduate program educated me on basic fabric developments, including fabric content, arrangement of patterns, repeats, color, texture, and design compositions. All of the aforementioned elements, when applied correctly, create a coherent collection. I also learned various design techniques, such as silk-screen printing, resist dying, weaving, heat transfer, and many other printmaking techniques. I completed the program inspired to learn more about textile design.

My primary inspiration when producing these creations was my attraction to natural patterns available in the environment, such as feathers, hay, various grain sizes, leaves, etc. In particular, I love the natural patterns they create when clustered together. I perceive that they appear almost man-made at times, with their urban, grid like organization. Capturing the flawless effects of these resources serves as a vestibule for more creative energy within me.

I have always been fascinated with textured surfaces. Thus, I naturally gravitated towards untraditional forms of textiles. Eventually, this avenue led me to work with latex. I began by applying latex to various types of fabrics, including different types of leathers and suede. At the time I simply wanted to incorporate texture to create dimensional fabric samples. I also knew that I wanted these materials to sustain durability and appear archival.

Liquid latex serves as an excellent resolution, presenting a wonderful visual and tactile effect in respect to any fabric’s dimensionality. When it is wet and poured into a shape or mold, it will harden over time. Amazingly, latex tends to hold to the exact shape of the object. Once pealed away, outstanding effects from textures are solid in form. The outcome of the released molds results in an unusual tactile quality that is fun and appealing to the touch. With practice, I mastered an ability to create fabrics immersed in textured latex.

My inclination, when collecting textures, is “outside of the box.” I primarily collected already existing textured surfaces in addition to constructing unique molds in which I would pour the latex within. I customized different variations of these molds, with the application of household plastics, Plastic of Paris, and etched metal zinc plates. I also embedded ordinary, everyday objects, such as cupcake wrappers, various weights of fabrics, and different types of paper objects within my art as well. For instance, inexpensive materials commonly found in hardware stores, grocery stores and second hand shops were especially useful. These materials proved to be interesting and creative ingredients. While the latex lay wet in the mold, the embedded materials are perceived through the transparent layer of latex. Color was another integral aspect of these works of art. Primarily I focused on monochromatic designs. As I developed my skills, my color stories became more complex. I arranged swatches on canvas into a composition of their own and then sewed contrasting colored threads throughout the designs to serve as highlights. I also I experimented with scale, patterns, and various compositions.

I strongly believe that textile design can function beautifully as fine art and/or mixed media pieces. It is because of that conviction, which has allowed me to approach textiles in the manner for which I did. Since granted the freedom to explore mixed media applications towards textiles, I was able to formulate a unique and uncommon fabric treatment used for multiple functions. I encourage spectators not to hesitate in touching my work, so they too can also appreciate the piece to its fullest extent. I have achieved a great deal, in that I have intensely pushed my creative limits. I have discovered an enthusiasm for my work and a standard quality that I always knew existed, and now is fully realized. Free to follow my creative intuitions and capturing the flawless affects of my pieces, has served a vestibule for more creative energy within me.