Karl Macrae

Karl is a contemporary, design-led, mixed media embroidery artist who pushes the boundaries of traditional techniques. His work offers a fresh approach to storytelling, marked by striking contrasts in his choice of materials, and distinctive for the rich textures and bold compositions.

In addition to being a professional artist, Karl originally trained as a traditional folk musician. Over the past 20 years, his career has included both teaching and performing. For the last eight years, he’s been exploring the world of embroidery, and now fully dedicates himself to this art form and has recently set up his creative studio at the Perth Creative Exchange. Such is his passion for the medium that he has named his practice ‘He’s Sew Happy’.

Aesthetic

By drawing with a needle and embroidery thread rather than a pen, Karl introduces an immediate sense of texture to his work, an effect that is further enriched by his use of watercolour card as his main canvas. Each design is thoughtfully developed and brought to life through the addition of watercolour paints, shimmering metallic foils, coloured card, and vintage papers. In recognition to his musical background, Karl often incorporates antique folk sheet music into his work.

Karl’s work often reflects his love of nature, interest in architecture and his life in music. As a former teacher of the visually impaired, he recognises a connection between his embroidered pieces and the raised diagrams used to teach his students. He’s inviting us to engage with his work, not only visually, but also through the textures and tactile forms.

Practice

Karl begins each piece with a traditional pen-and-paper sketch, carefully planning his composition before transferring it onto watercolour card. Using a leather awl he punctures the design into the surface as a guide in preparation for stitching. He then sews with fine perle cotton crochet thread, a material known for its smooth finish and strength, creating bold monochrome lines that bring a striking tactile and graphic quality to his work.

Karl’s work is available in a variety of forms, including original hand-stitched 3D framed artworks, clocks, larger framed pieces, and handcrafted lanterns. His work can also be enjoyed in a range of printed and practical items such as framed prints, handmade cards, gift tags, bookmarks, and keyrings, each crafted with the same attention to detail and distinctive style.