Rowan Shepherd

The Cat Collar Tree

Rowan takes inspiration from a story she and her mum created when she was younger, about how their cats' collars would always go missing, stolen by "The Cat Collar Tree". Taking visual inspiration from her five cats and children's book illustrations Rowan translates each cats' personality through free machine embroidery and each becomes a character in the story.

Layers of thread build up each cat's realistic depth, texture and character, while tiny split pins let the joints move, inviting viewers to handle, pose them and immerse themselves in the story.

Mentor: Sorrell Kerrison