Elnaz Yazdani : Contemporary Textile Art With Unusual Materials

Elnaz Yazdani creates vibrant contemporary textile art using rather unusual materials. Look closely for nails, springs, tubes, and all sorts from scrap stores. Elnaz loves working with community groups to reimagine embroidery and spark creativity.

 In this episode of Stitchery Stories textile art podcast, Susan Weeks chats with Elnaz Yazdani, an embroidery artist and educator who merges traditional techniques with unconventional materials. Elnaz discusses her passion for community engagement and how embroidery can connect people and elevate well-being.

With a background that includes influences from Iran and Lancashire, she explores the use of embroidery as a way to tell stories, both personal and cultural. Elnaz is also known for using recycled and industrial materials in her creative process, pushing the boundaries to 're-imagine' of traditional embroidery.

Susan chats with Elnaz about:

Community-based embroidery projects: Elnaz is involved in various community projects that aim to connect people through the art of embroidery.

Unusual materials in embroidery: Elnaz explains how she uses materials like washers, computer parts, and plumbing supplies to create stunning embroidered artworks.

Creative freedom in projects: A discussion about how working with various groups inspires different interpretations of topics such as "place" and cultural storytelling.

Embroidery as social prescribing: Elnaz views embroidery as a therapeutic practice that can positively affect mental well-being.

Influence of her heritage: Being half Iranian and half English has shaped her love for textiles and her work's rich cultural storytelling influences.

Education and teaching: Elnaz emphasizes the importance of keeping the craft alive by inspiring and teaching embroidery to the next generation.

Juggling art practice & community projects: Elnaz shares some hard-won advice around setting boundaries and doing what you love!

Sustainability: Elnaz often works with upcycled and renewable materials, such as fruit netting and scrap items, reflecting her commitment to sustainability.

Some links & further info:

For this episode... View Links, information & Examples of Elnaz's work at https://stitcherystories.com/elnazyazdani

Visit: https://www.elnazyazdani.com/

Look: https://www.instagram.com/elnazyazdani

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Other Episodes You Might Like:

Holly Jackson : Mix modern stumpwork embroidery with mixed media https://stitcherystories.com/hollyjackson/

Nikki Parmenter: Exuberant mixed-media textile artist https://stitcherystories.com/nikkiparmenter/

Claire Edwards: Pushing The Boundaries Of Traditional Hand Embroidery https://stitcherystories.com/claireedwards/