SPHERES OF INFLUENCE

The image shows a photograph of machine embroidery on a densely checked polycotton fabric with a dark grey background and white lines. The embroidery is made up of thick bright red, ever increasing, yet disintegrating circles and half circles that resemble the inner world of an oyster or fingerprint stitched in silky satin thread. This contrasts with a geometric triangular shape with a measurement of 10cm stitched over the red circles in an eggshell blue thread. — *Spheres of Influence* (2026) detail. Image: Josie Turnbull.

I watch the recording of the residency induction, and I am struck by how generous the space is – a time to push back against the ‘should’ of productivity. It makes me think about my current work that I have been exploring during my DYCP which focuses on the opposite – on the ridicularity of healthcare and wellness processes based in efficiency and optimisation.

I also watch the recording of first meeting and then select these images of recent work-in-progress: a re-purposing of health and wellness mental and visualisation models and methods through drawing and embroidery. This sample was made with the help of Poppy Nash in April this year. It had a 77 minute stitch time. I feel it speaks to the meeting’s discussion on re-purposing, language and translation.

The image shows a photograph of machine embroidery on a densely checked unhemmed polycotton fabric with a dark grey background and white lines. The embroidery is made up of thick bright red, ever increasing, yet disintegrating circles and half circles that resemble the inner world of an oyster or fingerprint stitched in silky satin thread. This contrasts with a geometric triangular shape that resembles a line drawing of a slice of pie or cheese, with measurements of 10cm and 8cm stitched over the top of the red circles in an eggshell blue thread. — *Spheres of Influence* (2026) – digital embroidery from ink drawings of wellbeing coaching models and NHS food diary handout on cotton check fabric. Image: Josie Turnbull.

Join our mailing list

Follow us