I am a visual artist with a first-class honours degree in Fashion Design from the LimerickSchool of Art and Design.
My practice explores textiles as both material and metaphor,stitching together fragments of memory, belonging, and identity.
Drawing remains central to my process, evolving into expressive mark-making that translates into stitch.
Building on over two decades as an award-winning costume designer—working with Cork Opera House, Siamsa Tíre Tralee, and Corca Dhorcha Cork—I extend my expertise into experimental textile art, employing techniques such as appliqué, embroidery, collage, and quilting.
Sustainability is integral to my approach; I incorporate recycled and repurposed materials, embedding narratives of care and continuity while reducing waste.
Recurring motifs, particularly birds, evoke themes of freedom, fragility, and migration.
Alongside professional practice, I have taught creative textiles for more than 20 years and facilitated community projects in Cork Prison, the Cope Foundation, and the Dillon’s Cross Project. These experiences reinforced my belief in the power of making to foster dialogue, connection, and shared understanding.
At the heart of my work is a respect for the handmade—its imperfections, intimacy, and honesty. Through textiles, I aim to create a shared language that bridges past and present, offering viewers an experience that is both personal and universally resonant.
CONTACT
Blackrock
Co Cork
joanhicksondesign@gmail.com