Arts Thread

Bonnie Magee
Textile and Fashion Design Degree

Glasgow School of Art

Graduates: 2024

Specialisms: Embroidery / Textiles: Fashion/Interiors / Textile Innovation/Textile Art

My location: Glasgow, United Kingdom

bonnie-magee ArtsThread Profile
Glasgow School of Art

Bonnie Magee

bonnie-magee ArtsThread Profile

First Name: Bonnie

Last Name: Magee

University / College: Glasgow School of Art

Course / Program: Textile and Fashion Design Degree

Graduates: 2024

Specialisms: Embroidery / Textiles: Fashion/Interiors / Textile Innovation/Textile Art

My Location: Glasgow, United Kingdom

Website: Click To See Website

About

Graduated from the Glasgow School of Art, I have a strong foundation in textile design, with a particular focus on embroidery, fabric manipulation, texture, and form.Through the exploration of materiality, process, and stitch, my work highlights the beauty found in the uncomfortable, merging elements of the body with the natural world.Utilising mixed embroidery methods, I translate my research and drawings into textured, narrative-rich samples, drawing inspiration from wearable art and historical costume.

I understand the word ‘feminine’ to be associated with the beauty of organic form, nature, strength, and the exploration of emotion. In my exploration of 'the grotesque', I've observed preserved organs and taxidermy during museum visits, as well as exploring nature and capturing natural forms. I connect with these themes through materiality, process, and communication through stitch. Highlighting the beauty that arises from the uncomfortable, my work combines the body and the natural world. Through sampling, I use mixed embroidery methods to translate textures and forms collected through research and drawing. The samples I have produced provide a narrative, and my silhouettes are inspired by wearable art and historical costume. Additionally, my complementary project is focused on taxidermy. Inspired by emotive storytelling and the imagery from dark fairy tales, I have used illustrative embroidery to translate forms of creatures with a focus on birds. Within my collection, my materials have been sourced ethically. I have utilised off-cuts and donations and have been kindly supported by Ayrshire company, MYB textiles, producer of Scottish lace.