Becoming Now

Overview

"Becoming Now" is a contemplation of senescence—ageing seen not as decline, but as a layered experience shaped by growth, memory, and renewal. Using the life cycles of plants as a metaphor, Barbara explores the human journey: its fragility, quiet strength, and continual transformation. These works trace the parallel landscapes of inner and outer worlds, finding beauty in both blossoming and fading, in change, endurance, and lived experience.

This body of work includes large charcoal drawings of plant forms, embellished with stitched lines and suspended threads, alongside A3 stitched photographs on silk. Some capture the soft radiance of full bloom; others, the quiet grace of wilting forms. Textile hangings created with rice paper, reclaimed fabrics, printing, and hand stitching extend these themes—exploring senescence, regeneration, and the emotional textures of time.

Working within a limited colour palette, Barbara explores subtle tonal shifts that evoke both quietude and richness. Through layering, drawing, and stitching, Barbara seeks to express the tactile and emotional fabric of a life deeply felt and continually renewed.

"Becoming Now" suggests that ageing is not an ending, but an ongoing state of becoming—presence shaped by time, holding both what has passed and what is still possible.