About
First Class Graduate from the Royal School of Needlework, Millie Darnell-Hayes, takes inspiration from organic forms and textures and uses hand embroidery to identify specific details and stories inspired by nature and wild spaces. It is not just what can be seen on the surface that is of interest, but instead, what lies beneath. A fundamental part of her practice is depicting details that can only be seen up close, and interpreting this in tiny embroidered unseen worlds.
These stories and worlds are often presented through costume, led by her passion for performance and childhood surrounded by art and nature, which motivated her to combine the two.
Gestural, spontaneous mark-making and explorative drawing lie at the core of Millie’s practice. These are represented through bespoke Tambour, Goldwork and Raisedwork embroidery techniques. The environments she creates through her work require a sensory, emotional response from the audience. Her training at the Royal School of Needlework developed a strong visual style.