A stitch in time

Textile artist Frankie Meaden is not only blooming in real life, but on canvas too

- Caroline Moratti

Frankie Meaden has taken the time to develop her artistic voice. Her life has always been about creating, from having her work displayed in one of London's prestigious Tate galleries when she was 18 years old, to making and selling colourful jewellery, Halloween costumes, handmade bags, denim embroidery pieces and everything in-between.

Now living in Auckland with her three young children and a springer spaniel, Frankie finds herself "squeezing in time to create giant, colourful, tactile embroidered artworks out of recycled materials in my home studio whenever they're at school or sleeping". Her pieces are vibrant acts of floral joy, creating movement out of swathes of texture that hang in her studio or above the bustling streets of Tamaki Makaurau.

Her brand Beautifully Frank, she says, "Is the place where I fulfill my desire to create, and as much as possible, do so without being part of the pollution problem. I aim to create beautiful things while repurposing and reducing waste."

What got you into the wonderful world of embroidered botanicals?

A love of nature and a desire to bring more beauty and joy into the world. I think it's important to raise environmental awareness by talking about how we rely on, and are intricately connected to the plant world around us, and to draw the viewer's attention to the rich biodiversity of New Zealand. I also think it's valuable to be in an environment that aesthetically brings peace and joy. I make pieces that I think are beautiful and will bring peace and joy to people's spaces and lives.

How long does it take to make one of your pieces?

My two-metre pieces take 50 or 60 hours. My newer pieces, which are closer to one metre, around 20 hours.

Can you talk us through your process?