Harriet Riddell facts for kids

Harriet Riddell was born in 1990. She is a special kind of artist from Oxfordshire, England. Harriet creates amazing art using a sewing machine.

She is known as a performance textile artist. This means she makes art with fabric and thread, often while people watch. She also teaches others about her art.

What is Harriet Riddell's Art?

Harriet uses a technique called freeform embroidery. This is like drawing with a sewing machine. She stitches pictures of people and scenes from real life.

How She Creates Her Art

Harriet doesn't just work in a studio. She often stitches in interesting places. These can be busy public markets or open fields. She even stitches in different countries.

Powering Her Sewing Machine

Because she works outdoors, Harriet needs special ways to power her machine. She has used solar energy (power from the sun). She also uses batteries powered by bicycles. Sometimes, she even uses foot pedals to make her machine work!

Learning to Stitch

Harriet started learning about sewing when she was very young.

Early Lessons

Her mother taught her how to use a sewing machine. This was when Harriet was just a small child.

Grandmother's Influence

When Harriet was ten years old, her grandmother taught her more. Her grandmother was also a textile artist from Canada. She taught Harriet the special skill of freeform embroidery.

Exhibitions Around the World

Harriet Riddell's unique art has been shown in many places. People all over the world have seen her stitched creations.

Where Her Art Has Been Seen

Her work has been exhibited in big cities. These include London in England and Delhi in India. Her art has also traveled to Nairobi in Kenya and Toronto in Canada.