Jordan Cunliffe

Jordan Cunliffe is a British embroidery artist who records memories and her experiences through the medium of stitch. From representing time to encoding information her mindful stitching is both contemplative and calming.

Firstly, where did you grow up and where do you live now?

I grew up, and still live in East Lancashire.  I moved away for a few years to study at university and then work in London, but I am happily settled back here now. 

What is your background in textiles?

I studied at Leeds College of Art for my foundation diploma, then Manchester School of Art for my BA in Embroidery.  After a few years working in the design industry, I went back to study at UCLan to achieve my MA in Surface Pattern and Textiles.

How do you describe your art?

I describe my art as data visualisation, but I think sometimes people find this a bit off-putting! What I mean by data visualisation is really storytelling.  Everything is data, so it is about me collecting information about my experiences and documenting them in a way that makes sense to me.  Some people are into journalling or photography, and this is just my way of recording memories and turning them into tangible things for me to archive.

What is it about representing data collection that you find so appealing?

I think my personality naturally leans towards the methodical and logical, I notice this in all aspects of my life, but I really started working in this way on my MA.  I had hit a wall with my project, so I began to stitch repetitively purely so I was still being productive! A block of stitches turned into ‘what would this look like if I made a stitch for every day of my life so far’ and it went from there.  I also like to be able to take some of the subjectivity away from art, it stops me taking things so personally.  If I stay true to the data I have collected, then I know my work is ‘right’ even if others may not like it.  This has allowed me to focus on making the work without worrying too much about how it is received.  The notion of ‘encoding’ data has been really interesting to me as well, I like the idea that I can share personal information while still maintaining privacy.

Where do you work?

I used to have a lovely home studio, but I have recently moved house and had to leave it behind! I have plans to renovate and build my new dream studio!

What are you most proud of in your art career so far?

Probably the publication of my book, it was a big learning curve for me, having never done anything like that before and I found the whole process really interesting.  Another milestone for me was starting to run online workshops which I had considered for a long time but kept putting it off because it was really pushing myself out of my comfort zone, but they have been very well received and I have enjoyed doing them.

Do you have any advice for aspiring textile artists?

Find your own niche and stay true to that, rather than trying to make what you think people will like (or what does well on Instagram.) Try and get out and see work from other artists and get inspired by things from outside of your usual scope.  Be nice to people and make good connections, I have found a really nice community of textile artists which is lovely and opens a lot of doors.

Jordan’s book ‘Record, Map & Capture in Textile Art’ is available through www.batsfordbooks.com and from most booksellers.

1-2-1 online tuition slots available to book through https://jordancunliffe.co.uk/