Episode 41: Embroidery Artist, Danielle Clough

Danielle Clough on the CRAFT*ish Podcast with Vickie Howell

Danielle Clough, Embroidery Artist

CRAFT-ish has been on hiatus for a few months, so it felt really good to dust off the mic and reach out to another member of our global, creative community. On this episode I chat with South African embroidery artist, Danielle Cluff. Her journey’s an interesting one, and her art just blows me away. I’ve been following her Instagram feed @FinaceKnowles, for a while now, so getting to talk to her about her technique, inspiration and how American pop culture seeps into much of her work, was truly a treat. 

 

 

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SHOW NOTES

BIO:

As a photographer-designer-vj-embroiderer, Danielle Clough has lived a life forever bound to the hyphen.

Poster print of Steve Zissou embroidery

Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa (and referred to as “Dee” by those who know her), Clough completed her studies in art direction and graphic design at The Red and Yellow School before embarking on a career in visual art, digital design and thing-making.

Print of embroidered portrait of Laura Palmer from Twin Peaks

Her combined interest in visual art, music and the South African street culture scene led to an experimental stint turned niche gig creating visuals for live music events. Using the stage name Fiance Knowles, Dee has performed with local artists Haezer, PH Fat, Hugh Masekela and internationals acts such as the Allah Las, Mick Jenkins, Cid Rim, The Black Lips and Black Sun Empire. She has played a bunch of music festivals you’ve probably never heard of if you’re over 45 and your primary music listening preference is Jazz (If not, see: Rocking the Daisies, Grietfest, Synergy, CTEMF, Nuworld Fest.)

When she is not VJing (which is not what you think), Dee is doing digital design work for local companies; wrapped in a mess of threads embroidering anything from vintage rackets to shoes; lending her voice to local radio shows (Assembly Radio, Bush Radio); creating custom book covers (Modjaji Books); and working as a contributing photographer for various local and international media.

Dee has been profiled by Instagram, Colossal, CNN, Vogue.com. Creative Boom and the Creators Project amongst others, while her work has been published in the New York Times T Magazine, Casa de Jardim, Couch Magazine, Evening Standard, Homespun and featured in various exhibitions across the country.

Some clients from 2016 include Gucci, Adobe, The African Innovation foundation and the United Nations.

Danielle Clough on CRAFT*ish Embroidery Art
She currently works, plays and bikes in Cape Town.

 

Print of embroidered portrait of the Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction.

 
 
 
 

One Response to “Episode 41: Embroidery Artist, Danielle Clough”

  1. kathy

    Vickie, thank you so much for this episode! I was checking my feeds today and was so excited when I found there was a new Craftish podcast!! I know you must be very, very busy with The Knit Show and life in general, so best wishes with all during the last of 2017. Danielle’s work is absolutely stunning and inspirational. I love the way she is pushing the boundaries of embroidery or stitching in general. I also very much appreciated hearing of looking at something differently when it appears not to be working: looking at such a thing upside down is wonderful advice for life in general, in my opinion.

    Reply

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