Tiny Town

Shortlisted for The Batsford Prize competition - Theme: At Peace 'Tiny Town' is based on the peace I find in my small Southern Italian hometown, Calabritto. My collection of images and illustrated embroideries intends to emphasise my home-from-home connection to the town. The contents of my images have all been referenced from real places in Calabritto and much loved vivid memories, from the march of the procession and festa night to the busy markets and walks to the waterfall. I have approached my image-making by taking influence from the traditional craft techniques of the town. For Calabritto this is hand embroidery, a much-appreciated technique that has been passed down many generations and even continues today. My pencil markings intend to mimic the pattern and shapes seen in these sewing techniques. The concertina format of the images aims to take you on a journey through the town as if you were walking through it yourself, embracing the culture, vibrant colours and picturesque mountain scenes. Each image in the concertina itself is its own anecdote that allows you to put yourself in the memory.