Dye-Sublimation/Embroidery.

Dye- Sublimation was invented in 1957. It is a printing process, that uses heat to transfer dye onto materials.

Within textiles, dye-sublimation is used to create t-shirts, banners and table covers. The images are initially printed on coated heat-resistant paper as a reverse image of the final design. It is then transferred onto the fabric.

 As part of my textiles project, I am currently experimenting with this technique. I am exploring embroidery on photographs. This is something that I felt was relevant to this photography project also. To aid my presentation, I would like to experiment in using the technique of dye sublimation and embroidery, and combine it with my photography work.

Embroidery adds texture to the photograph, something, to which is currently being explored in modern times. The idea of embroidering on photographs is still in it's development stages, with only a few artists choosing to explore this.

Jose Romussi

Jose Romussi is an artist/designer. Currently working in Berlin, his latest project, is one that combines photography with textiles.

'My work is a constant search to express and represent my ideas. My occurring artworks are a reaction of my inspiration.

Jose Romussi Moodboard.

This starts with an image, that inspires me in certain way to do an embroidery that changes it into a  new one. I am always searching for a new sense of interpretation for my pieces. My technique for that is using thread as the medium to merge different time spaces. I am not afraid of breaking a picture, the important thing for me is using  embroidery, a technique not usually used on paper,  to do it on a photograph, because this is a part of the process.
I intervene images by applying my own perception of beauty to them. Sometimes by giving them a new identity or a different aesthetic concept. It’s the chance to give this image a new emotion, a new life, a new interpretation of beauty through embroidering'

http://www.joseromussi.com/about/

Objectively, the photograph is in black and white. The photograph is placed at the top of the composition die to the style of embroidery. The embroidery that is placed between the models hands, reads, 'Life is beautiful.' This has been repeated 3 times to fill in the gap between her hands. The embroidery thread appears rough and string like. It appears to have been pulled and left dangled down the photograph and onto the backing canvas. Subjectively, the loose string represents a feeling of false marketing. The messy effect contradicts the initial message, insinuating that life is not beautiful all the time. Subjectively, it could also represent the trails and obstacles that life brings, to then eventually see life for what it is. The embroidery essentially enhances the meaning behind this photograph, and completely changes the concept from the simplicity of the photograph.  

My Experiments
Below, are the 3 experiment photographs that I used for the technique dye-sublimation. I used 3 different photographs from my final selection. The first image is of the lake, second is of the graveyard, and the third from the abandoned building. This is the first step of the process.
Firstly, I flipped the original photograph, so that it is reverse.
Secondly, I used the special dye sublimation printer using heat transfer paper.
Thirdly, I waiting until the heat press reached 200 degrees. I placed the desired fabric onto the machine. I then placed the printed photograph face down on the fabric. I lastly, put some heat proof paper to protect the photograph and pressed down the lid of the machine. After 60 seconds, these were the results;

Below, are the comparisons between the photograph I printed, and the transfer on the fabric.

The next step, I moved on to the embroidery aspect. I chosen corresponding colours of embroidery thread relating to the photograph. I used hand embroidery as I find that style to be most free.

This first experiment, I wanted to create a loose effect. I chose specific areas within the photograph that I could highlight. I decided to highlight the tree branches. I used harsh and large sewing threads to enhance the meaning behind the photographs. I wanted to create an uneasy effect to the photograph with the use of embroidery and also a messy feel to describe the emotion that goes along with the storyline.
Overall, I do not feel that this particular composition works well with the embroidery, I feel that there needs to be a mixture of detailed parts as well as looser parts so that it does not overwhelm the photograph. 

As I was not happy with the first attempt with this composition, I removed all of the stitches from the original attempt and reworked this piece. I decided to write the relevant quote from the book over the top of the photograph and leave it at that. I made the words uneven and disjointed to enhance the meaning of quotation and the storyline. Personally, I prefer the simplicity of this composition compared to the previous experiment. 

This piece, I chose a photograph relating to the lake. I firstly, picked out relevant colours of embroidery thread which were different shades of blue. Taking inspiration from the photograph of Romussi's above, I took the different thread and created loose stitches and let the thread hang down over the photograph. I feel that this technique works well with this composition as I have only used a small area of the photograph. I started with condensed stitches around the centre of the composition and around my body, and expanded as I went further out. My aim was to enhance the rippled effect with the embroidery.

My last experiment, is of the photograph from the abandoned building. For this, I wanted to outline the brickwork with the embroidery thread, enhancing the texture of the brickwork. I also used inspiration from the photograph of Romussi's and left the thread hanging down over the composition.
Overall, I felt this was a successful experiment, however, I do not think I will take this forward to my final piece. I will take inspiration from these concerning the texture. As I present my final piece, I want to add texture to enhance the photographs within the frames, therefore, these experiments, have given me an idea of how I could use texture.