ANNE WATTS

A wandering embroiderer I
- things of shreds and patches

My background is in mathematics and statistics and I worked for the Medical Research Council and taught for many years in higher education. I now spend my time making music, going to the theatre and cinema, being with my family and making textiles.

Thanks to my aunts I've knitted, sewn and crocheted since I was a child but only discovered that sewing machines existed when I went to secondary school and then persuaded my parents to buy one for my 12th birthday. However, I have only developed some sort of artistic approach in the last few years when I moved to the Midlands and joined a creative embroidery class.

My work is truly eclectic and often mathematical – it just depends on what inspires me – and I use a variety of materials from fabric and thread to paint, paper and metal and I particularly enjoy recycling.