Kay Davis
Costume Maker & Textile Artist
She / her
Kay is a Costume Maker and Textile Artist who explores themes of duality and transformation found in the natural world.
References to the natural world recure throughout her textiles as does the use of handmade fabrics, papers and recycled materials. Drawing together elements of stitch and dye Kay combines natural earth pigments and plant dyes with machine and hand embroidery, slow stitch and repair.
“Transformation fascinates me both spiritually and practically. The interplay of opposition and tension ultimately holds elements together creating harmony and balance. As day precedes night, decay precedes regeneration. Through my work I communicate a reverence for nature, finding beauty in the cycles of life and death.”
Her costumes have been seen in film, on television and theatre for Ballet Rambert, Opera North, Royal Opera House, Nottingham Playhouse, Crucible Theatre Sheffield, and many production companies.
Currently a technical specialist and lecturer in Costume design and construction at Nottingham Trent University where she designed and established a Natural dye Garden. Kay has worked as an educator in Further Education, Adult Education and SEN settings such as Nottingham College, Nottingham County Council, Leicestershire County Council.
She holds a BA in Embroidery and Textiles from Goldsmiths University London and an MA in Fashion and Textile Design from Nottingham Trent University.