“We can, in fact, only define a weed, mutatis mutandis, in terms of the well-known definition of dirt – as matter out of place. What we call a weed is in fact merely a plant growing where we do not want it.” – E.J. Salisbury, The Living Garden, 1935
Weeds are often defined as a plant in the wrong place. Yet roadside plants and “weeds” can convey bravery, vulnerability, and resilience through their ability to thrive despite their environment. They can appear both wild and beautiful, simultaneously emerging seemingly misplaced yet bravely anchored in place. Using roadside flora as a metaphor, I am investigating the human need for belonging and what that means through this series of textile works.
Humans need to belong, to feel that they are an integral and needed part of a place or community. Yet, this feeling of belonging does not always come easily, even within a populated place or social group. Foraging and stitching roadside plants has provided time to consider what it means to belong and has fostered an empathy for others who find themselves similarly longing to belong.
For this series, I have combined digital printing, eco-printing, and various forms of stitching. Layered digital prints on fabric and paper impregnated with wildflower seeds helped to process the plants through my gaze. Alternatively, eco-prints created with singular elements of the flora provided an examination of the marks produced by the plant itself. This blending of the plant-made marks with artist-created images fostered contemplation. The stitching is a mix of quilting, a textile technique steeped in a rich heritage of community, and intricate silk and metal embroidery.
By isolating the plant images and exploring various methods of layering, these compositions use the study of roadside flora and their perceived characteristics to question what it means and how it feels to struggle with the human need to belong. Through this series of work, I hope to inspire empathy with others who find themselves searching for a sense of belonging in the places they inhabit.
Katherine Diuguid is a studio artist specializing in hand embroidery. She exhibits her work in group and solo shows and creates commissions. She has made special pieces for Durham Cathedral (UK) and the Art Institute of Chicago. She has been awarded artist residencies at the North Carolina Museum of Art, Penland School of Crafts, and in France.
After earning her Master of Arts + Design at North Carolina State University, Katherine served as a professor teaching embroidery and textile design. She holds degrees in industrial design (NCSU) and fashion design (Parsons School of Design), and certificates with distinction from the Royal School of Needlework and City and Guilds UK. She teaches workshops at universities, museums, and embroidery groups across the USA, Canada, and online globally.
