The wildly elaborate work of Sarah Gordon imbues textile design with the markings of nature.
For Rainbow of Hope, Evermade's latest series of prints, we had the pleasure of joining with Sarah to create a print inspired by the rainbow. You can purchase the final colourful vision below - 100% of the profits will be donated to NHS Charities Together.
Before lockdown rendered us all homebound, Washington-based designer Sarah Gordon could be found at her local beach on Bainbridge Island almost every day, “beachcombing and collecting inspiration.” The proof here is in the pudding - Gordon’s beautiful, botanic designs bring together coastal creatures, fungi, corals, and even tropical birds to create menageries fit for fashion and interior design. While her love for antique, botanical designs makes her work perfect for homeware - as demonstrated in a recent elegant collaboration with Kingdom Home Design - her illustrative work has also been featured in a major contemporary art show at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum. Here at Evermade, we love her work most for its bold incorporation of colour into delicate techniques.
Just like any gorgeous garden, intricate systems lay at work in all of Gordon’s designs - here at Evermade we've been lucky enough to see their organic effect first hand. Having collaborated with Gordon on two separate art series, we can safely say her work takes your breath away, naturally.
Who was on your playlist whilst working on this project?
I've become quite nostalgic and discovered all my old CD albums to listen to whilst working.
Who are some artists you really admire at the moment?
Currently in full admiration of Pop artist, Ashley Longsure, for her support of other artists, raising funds, and her high energy pep talks.
What are the positives you have come across during lockdown? How do you think it will change your point of view in the future?
The positives for my family have been learning how to really slow down and appreciate the very small joys in life. Looking through the eyes of my 2-year-old at nature with no need to rush on to the next scheduled activity. After lockdown, I can't imagine going back 100% to how things were. I want to keep our days simpler and not have as much 'need' for external things.
What are you looking forward to most when the lockdown is over?
Being able to hug all my family and friends outside of my household!
What’s your message to health workers right now?
I am in awe of the dedication, strength, and personal sacrifices you are all making to care for people during this time. I can't thank you enough!
For our latest collaboration with Sarah, as part of our Rainbow of Hope series, the artist has zoomed in on one area of the rainbow, literally. Sarah adorns a close-up section of the arc with colourful insects and fauna, the kind you could only see under a microscope. Gordon told us her aim was to convey “a feeling of optimism and calm during these difficult times,” “I had these words in my head whilst working on it: if you can’t go out go within.” Sarah’s resulting artwork titled Optimism is “an imaginary nature scene, without going outside.”
To take home Sarah’s detailed dive into nature, you can purchase Optimism below - we’ll donate 100% of the profits of your purchase to NHS Charities Together.
Sarah's artwork titled Optimism, with 100% profits of art print sales going to NHS Charities Together.
You can check out more of Sarah's work here.
