This textiles arts project includes a variety of diverse visual techniques, all tactically arranged to portray the image of a majestic Crested Caracara, commonly known as the Mexican Eagle, wrestling with a menacing Rattlesnake. This is a quintessential Mexican symbol deeply rooted in Aztec legend and is also the basis for the Mexican coat of arms. The colours and shapes in my design are heavily derived from traditional Mexican artist Lourdes Villagomez artworks with additional reference to the Mexican culture and symbols. My wall-hanging is further influenced by the techniques that contemporary artist Liz Payne employs in her designs. These include many traditional and heavily detailed techniques within my design including smocking, beading, embroidery, wet felting, machine embroidery and ice dying, as well as integrating several innovative techniques such as laser-cutting and appliqué.
