Kelly J Sparkes

BA (Hons) Artist Designer Maker

I have created memorial textile portraits, by layering fabric shapes that make up the tones and shapes of the face, then complete each portrait in a process called Appliqué.

Wherever possible, I use scrap fabrics or old clothing of the people depicted. These portraits come in the form of cushions, so that it is possible to “hug” the loved one, and framed wall hangings, but can also be created in several other formats, such as blankets, jackets, or tapestries, etc. I hope to help people feel a connection to the people who are important to them in a tactile way. This could be in the way of capturing a time in a child’s life where they wore the size of clothes used in the portrait, holding onto a loved one who is missed, as they work or live away from their family, or maintaining the memory of someone who has sadly passed.

I hope to start an online business taking commissions to create this kind of textile memorabilia, by which a client would digitally send a photo (which would follow certain criteria, stated on my website) & send (Freepost) items of clothing or personal fabrics, to be used in the making. I would then create the chosen item, and post it to them. I am considering creating pet memorabilia as well as humans, or even landscapes of cherished places.


Rwyf wedi creu portreadau coffau mewn tecstilau, trwy haenu siapiau ffabrig sy’n creu tonau a siapiau’r wyneb, ac yna cwblhau pob portread mewn proses o’r enw Appliqué.

Pryd bynnag y bo’n bosib, rwy’n defnyddio sborion ffabrig neu hen ddillad y bobl a bortreadir. Daw’r portreadau hyn ar ffurf clustogau, fel ei fod yn bosib “rhoi cwtsh” i’r berthynas agos, a chrogluniau mewn ffrâm, ond gellir eu creu hefyd mewn nifer o fformatau eraill megis blancedi, siacedi neu dapestrïau, etc. Rwy’n gobeithio helpu pobl i deimlo cysylltiad â’r bobl sy’n bwysig iddynt mewn ffordd gyffyrddol.

Gallai hyn fod ar ffurf cofnodi cyfnod mewn bywyd plentyn pan fu iddynt wisgo dillad o’r maint a ddefnyddir yn y portread, dal gafael ar berthynas agos y gwelir ei heisiau gan iddynt weithio neu fyw i ffwrdd o’u teulu, neu gynnal atgofion am rywun sydd wedi marw yn drist.
Rwy’n gobeithio cychwyn busnes ar-lein gan dderbyn comisiynau i greu’r mathau hyn o gofbethau ar ffurf tecstilau, lle byddai cleient yn gyrru llun yn ddigidol (a fyddai’n dilyn meini prawf penodol, sydd wedi’u datgan ar fy ngwefan) ac anfon (trwy Radbost) eitemau dillad neu ffabrigau personol i’w defnyddio wrth greu’r gwaith. Wedyn, byddwn i’n creu’r eitem a ddewiswyd, ac yn ei hanfon atynt. Rwy’n ystyried creu cofbethau ar gyfer anifeiliaid anwes yn ogystal â phobl, neu hyd yn oed dirluniau a leoedd sy’n annwyl i bobl.

Other Exhibitors:

Kelly Sorcha Handy

Kelly Sorcha Handy

I am a craftsperson and textile artist, from Eryri. My work is very process-led and I specialise in felting, surface pattern design, and weaving. The main themes of my work are home, identity, and ecology. This project has been an exploration of coping with grief and...

Ella Taylor

Ella Taylor

I am a maker that works with wood and ceramics. For this collection I have created pendant lights and table lamps. These products are presented as exclusive decorative pieces but are also entirely functional. I show the natural beauty of wood by enhancing its grain...

Miranda Vaughan Kett

Miranda Vaughan Kett

‘Like Salmon’ is a contemporary sculpture collection on the theme of nostalgia and longing. The pieces are displayed in the format of a Wunderkammer – making a museum of my own memories. The contents of each vitrine refer to a particular memory from my family’s...

Carla Prinsloo

Carla Prinsloo

We have recently witnessed a steep rise in discussions about mental health, but this is not matched by levels of support provided, I design and make objects that aim to support mental wellness. These objects use light as well as visual patterns and textures designed...

Mary-Morgan Griffiths

Mary-Morgan Griffiths

My art is a manifestation of my special interests and a way to honour and nourish my inner child whilst addressing topics of neurodivergence and mental illness. Inspired by natural phenomena, patterns and textures, my work often has visual and tactile elements to...

Millie Rose Belding

Millie Rose Belding

I am a Welsh artist and designer specialising in Ceramics and Textiles. My work focuses on promoting sustainability in the design and production of a series of decorative homewares. This design series is inspired by traditional Welsh blanket design, it seeks to...