Sarah Symes

Textile Artist

Sarah Symes was born in Vancouver, Canada in 1979. She studied architecture at University College London, before training and working as a graphic designer. She has been making textile art for over a decade, fusing her graphic design sensibilities with the warmth and texture of fabric. Sarah now lives in Los Angeles where she hopes to gain prominence in the art community.

I am a full-time contemporary abstract textile artist. My self-discovered process is the result of many years developing skills and techniques with fabric. Each piece begins as a sketched idea, before being worked up into a loose deign. I work from my memory of a subject, rather than use reference materials and hold my vision for a piece in mind as I work.

I select quality fabrics and carefully pre-wash and hand dye each piece as needed. I cut the fabric into strips and squares and stitch them together using a sewing machine. It's an improvised process, just like painting or collage, enabling the gradual build up of colour and texture. I use applique to construct most of the piece and sometimes add embellishment with free machine embroidery and machine couching. The finished artwork is stretched by a professional framer over a custom-made frame and finished with a hanging wire. Each piece is a unique gallery-quality work of art.

I am fascinated by the elemental beauty of California's west coast, and find inspiration in the ever-changing beach landscape. The interaction between sky, sea and sand is a common theme across my 2007 collection. I aspire to recreate an abstraction of real life, infused with my emotions and distractions, evoked by the subject. Please view my online gallery at www.sarahsymes.com.

My textile art is available for sale, exhibition and commission. I also sell fabric stretched reproductions and fine art prints. For more information, please contact me by email at

Sarah Symes

Textile Artist

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