Co-founder and Vice President of CPiF, Anna Rose is a visual artist whose work has largely focused on the use of textiles. Recently, she has started using tufting and punch-needling and will be conducting a series of workshops that will allow you to try your hand at the punch-needling techniques. Let’s chat with Anna and learn more about how she began using these techniques and how they have contributed to her artistic practice.
Tell us about yourself and how you describe your art practice.
I’m a visual artist working in installation, video, and sculpture. I’m originally from Massachusetts, but I have lived in Florence since 2004.
Your work has always focused heavily on textiles; what is it about the material that has captured your attention and held it over the years?
I’m drawn to the tactile aspect of working with textiles. I want viewers to touch my work, or at least imagine what it would feel like. We all have a relationship with certain fabrics, fibers, or items of clothing, in ways that draw up memories or conjure other emotional states. I like to work in that psychological space.
How do you approach the use of textiles in your work and how do you start a new piece? Do you have some type of routine that you follow or does your work happen spontaneously?
I wish I had a clear answer to this question, but honestly, I don’t really know! I work best with a deadline or a specific concept to explore, but often ideas just come from playing around with a material or an object in my studio.
What sparked your interest in tufting and punch-needling and do you think your work has changed as a result of these techniques?
I have to thank Facebook for my newfound obsession with tufting! There was a post in the CPiF Facebook group from someone selling her tufting equipment and I messaged her on a whim…and now a couple years later I’m up to my ears in yarn. Tufting fit right into a hole that I needed to fill coming out of the creatively stressful years of the pandemic. I immediately clicked with the repetitive punching of the tufting gun, which is both calming and invigorating. It gave me a reason to be in the studio and quiet down all the other noise going on. It took me in a very practical direction—making rugs–that didn’t ask me to do a lot of deep work. Happily, I’m now shifting back into a more sculptural direction that includes tufting, but it is much more related to my previous installation work.
For those who are not familiar with these methods, how can we get started working with them and what do we need to begin?
I’d suggest starting with punch needling, which is essentially rug tufting by hand. To get started all you need is the punch needle, an embroidery hoop, a bit of canvas and some yarn. Then once you get excited about the possibilities, you can jump into the world of tufting guns, which is a bit more of an investment, but really exciting.
You are conducting a series of workshops at the new Creative People in Florence space in Via dei Serragli, what can we expect when we attend?
First and foremost, expect a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Punch needling is an activity that is perfect at the end of a long day, or while chatting with friends. It is wonderfully meditative, so you can really quiet down other thoughts and just enjoy the creative process. I’ll demonstrate the basic stitches and make sure everyone gets off on the right foot, and then each participant can choose the design and color palette of their choice. By the end of the workshop, you’ll complete your piece, or have the skills to finish it at home con calma. I’ll also give tips on how to fix mistakes, add fun details or adapt punch needling to other project ideas.
Anything else you want us to know about your new-found passion?
Come try it out for yourself! You’ll see why I love it.
Tell us where else we can find you.
You can find me on my website www.annamrose.com , or on Instagram @annamerylrose.
If you’d like to visit my studio in Via Santo Spirito, please get in touch: annamrose@gmail.com
Book your spot at Anna’s next Punch-Needle Workshop €30 includes all materials and a kit of tools to take home.
creativepeopleinflorence.com 