Sophie Lanham

It seems that I have always been interested in textiles. I learnt to sew when I was in Primary school and was making my own clothes throughout my teenage years. During university (where I studied Environmental Science with the ambition of becoming a National Park Ranger) I picked up counted cross stitch because I felt the need to do something with my hands. Later, when I was working with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, (having completed my degree and found a job in the industry I sought), I discovered cloth dolls. These started out quite simple, but I soon moved onto more complex and individual dolls with needle sculpted faces. Most of these I gave away to family and friends, but I sold a few through a stall at a local market. Around this time I also picked up the embroidery, this time making my own designs and developing these into kits. From here I started looking for more inspiration and learnt of the Diploma of Art Studio Stitch and Textiles course at Box Hill Institute. This is where I started to really explore and discover textiles and fibre arts. I now work in a range of techniques including machine and hand embroidery, hand dyeing and painting fabrics, felting and art dolls. I tend to draw on my environmental knowledge and experiences for inspiration in my work. I am fascinated by the Australian environment, having grown up in a rural area and hope that my work is something that people can both understand and relate to.