‘Smile’ is a filet crochet artwork, created with the intention of exploring new ideas and methods.
Filet crochet interests me for it’s ability to almost hide the imagery within the patterns. Following on from this idea, I felt this was an ideal medium for exploring my inner dialogue, with a focus on the words and phrases I say to myself.

The design of the artwork is evocative of traditional embroidery samplers, which are a huge inspiration on my work. Samplers are known to have been used as a vessel for young women to express unspoken thoughts and taking control of their voices. Through this artwork I have taken control of one of the many phrases I say to myself in times of anxiety.

‘Smile’ is an interesting word to me, due to its negative connotations when said to a young woman by external voices, but I very often find myself reminding myself to do the very thing I loathe others telling me to do. I’m keen to explore other phases and words which have this double edge to them.

‘Smile’ was displayed as part of the Wisbech Gallery Open 2025.