Event Details
‘XS’ ENDO-EMBROIDERY WITH COCO WARNER-ALLEN
CO-HOSTED BY THE FEMINIST LIBRARY & THE POORLY PROJECT
21ST MARCH (16:00 - 18:00)
THE FEMINIST LIBRARY - SOJOURNER TRUTH COMMUNITY CENTRE, 161 SUMNER ROAD SE15 6JL
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
The Feminist Library and The Poorly Project are thrilled to announce XS - an endo-embroidery workshop led by artist Coco Warner-Allen, dedicated to Endometriosis Awareness Month.
Beyond its initial identification in 1690 by German physician Daniel Schroen - endometriosis has been labelled as a ‘missed disease’, afflicted by diagnostic errors, medical downplay, gaps in research and the absence of a cure.
Yet through communal advocacy, storytelling and creative expression grows promise in changing the reality of endometriosis. Artist Coco Warner-Allen aids this endeavour in her practice, and in XS.
‘XS’ reflects the medical and social invisibility of endometriosis, its extensive list of exacerbative symptoms and its chronicity.
Embracing a medium that allows the mind to find distraction, rest and creative curiosity, XS guides participants through beginner-friendly stitches and beading exercises, influencing delicate Toile de Jouy textiles through embellishment.
As fingers find their way around needle and thread, participants will discover inspiration through Coco’s collection of work: the proponents of humor, connection and comfort sought out in digital culture or the act of ‘blinging out’ as a means of finding pockets of joy amidst endo flare-ups.
Archival material housed within The Feminist Library and zines dedicated to endometriosis will also be available for participants to peruse.
With community and creative voyage at its core, XS encourages greater value towards art-making within our chronic health journeys. It reminds us that embroidery exists as an accessible, artistic resource, aiding personal expressions that build upon self-care, our sense of hope and healing.
YOUR JOURNEY & ACCESSIBILITY
The Feminist Library has a comprehensive guide to ensure safe arrival, outlining on-site accessibility and amenities presently available.
For contact, travel and locating the venue, please visit here.
For accessibility and amenities, please visit here.
WORKSHOP STRUCTURE
*Please note that the workshop structure is a rough guideline of the evening. Participants may opt out of certain exercises if and when required.
*We have scheduled a 10-minute formal break, but participants will be able to learn, converse, enjoy refreshments and snacks throughout the workshop. Lactose and gluten-free options will be available.
Introduction (16:00 - 16:10) - 10 minutes:
Attendees will be guided into the exhibition space, where they will be able to hang their coats and jackets as desired. Acclimating themselves to the new ambiance, attendees will get comfortable and regulate themselves as needed.
Starter Stitches (16:10 - 17:00) - Approximately 50 Minutes
Coco will demonstrate and teach the following starter stitches: Running Stitch | Back Stitch | Feather Stitch | Woven rose | Satin stitch | French knot
Break/Refreshments (17:00 - 17:10) - 10 minutes
Attendees will be able to grab a beverage/snack, converse and explore each other’s work.
Beading Exercise (17:10 - 17:20) - 10 minutes
Coco will demonstrate a simple beading exercise.
Focused Exercise (17:20 - 17:50) - 30 minutes
This focused exercise will reintroduce Coco’s practice, anchoring the stitching exercises to the root of her practice and what unites participants - endometriosis and the topic of chronic health.
Coco will use examples from her body of work as inspiration for this focused exercise - embroidered lettering to reflect a particular thought or feeling, beading to bring both literal and metaphorical ‘sparkle’ or humor through digital culture as a method of finding comfort when dealing with endo flare-ups.
The focused exercise will enable participants to explore the distractive power of embroidery, prioritising a focus on the stitching or having the stitching react to their body.
Participants are encouraged to prioritise what feels right for them through the exercise.
Reflections (17:50 - 18:00) - 10 minutes
Attendees will be able to share their findings and look back on the embroidery they created - how they chose to approach it and what they found in the process of making.
Attendees will be encouraged to check-in on themselves before heading out.
For workshop enquiries, please contact thepoorlyartist@gmail.com
For venue enquiries, please contact events@feministlibrary.co.uk