Bio:
Katherine Diuguid is a studio artist specializing in hand embroidery, dressmaking, and textiles. Her current work investigates color theory and color interactions within stitching, especially goldwork embroidery. She has taught embroidery and textile workshops both nationally and internationally. She held a tenure-track position at North Carolina State University (2012-2017) until deciding to focus fully on her studio embroidery. She has been awarded artist residencies at the North Carolina Museum of Art (Fall 2017), Penland School of Crafts (Winter 2018 and Winter 2019), and Chateau Orquevaux (in France Spring 2022). Additionally, Katherine has had the opportunity to work on special projects for Durham Cathedral (UK) stitching Panel 10 of the new Open Treasures Cope and for the Art Institute of Chicago stitching a sampler based on their beautiful Burgo de Osma Altarpiece.
Katherine previously served as Assistant Professor of Art+Design at North Carolina State University for six years until she decided to devote her time fully to her studio work. During her time at NC State, Katherine developed 9 new courses for the Fibers and Fashion concentration for the Art + Design department. As Faculty Director for Art2Wear, Katherine established the Art2Wear Visiting Artist and Lecture Series which hosted 25 textile artists and industry professionals for lectures and workshops, including the organization of the Common Thread 2-Day Symposium. She raised over $105,000 in grant funding for university projects in addition to grants received to fund her own research and professional development. Her research focused on stitch: Stitch as decoration as seen in embroidery, Stitch as structure as seen in hand dressmaking and tailoring, and the history and development of stitch in the US, UK, and France. As an extension of her research, she developed a study abroad program in collaboration with the Royal School of Needlework, which successfully saw a group of university students studying embroidery over the summer of 2016. To further her teaching development, Katherine completed the Certificate of Reflective Teaching and Advisor Development Institute Certificate programs at NC State.
Katherine graduated with her Master of Art+Design from North Carolina State University with a concentration in Fibers and Surface Design. Prior to her graduate studies, Katherine earned degrees in Industrial Design from North Carolina State University and Fashion Design from Parsons the New School of Design. She has worked in the fashion industry in footwear design and technical design. She has completed certificate programs from the Embroiderer’s Guild (UK) and the Royal School of Needlework focusing on hand embroidery and at Central Saint Martins in London focusing on couture tailoring. She complements her studio work in hand stitching with research trips to view numerous historic embroidery and fashion collections in the US and UK. In addition to her university teaching, Katherine has taught workshops for Penland School of Crafts, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Embroiderers Association of Canada, the National Academy of Needlearts, Smocking Arts Guild of America, the Embroiderers Guild of America, the North Carolina Museum of Art, the Mint Museum, and the Contemporary Arts Museum of Raleigh (CAMRaleigh).
Artist Statement:
My work is rooted in my love of stitching. The methodical quiet of passing a needle in and out of a fabric provides a calmness for reflection and a platform to visually express ideas when my verbal words fall short. I continually refine my embroidery through studying traditional craft and through manipulating traditional techniques and materials to explore contemporary concepts. Nature’s overlooked details and history are important influences in my artistic work. My travels provide historic settings for personal expression through a kindred connection to the people that have stitched before me.
My current studio work encompasses two ongoing projects: the technical study of color theory in embroidery and the conceptual exploration of roadside flora as a metaphor to investigate our human need for belonging.
Through my continuing exploration of Impressionist color theory, I discover theoretical overlaps between rendering techniques in Impressionist painting and embroidery. My research is synthesized through experimental stitched samplers and compositions studying the effect of stitch choice on color perception. New questions are identified for future exploration. This research has altered my perception of the available thread colors as an artistic restraint into a limitless palette of thread color mixing possibilities.
Foraging and stitching roadside flora has incited questions of our human need to belong. These seemingly misplaced plants provide an empathetic study in belonging. In this series, I blend imagery of roadside flora with botanical printing, and traditional embroidery and quilting techniques to illustrate our quest for belonging in the spaces we inhabit.
Consistent through all of my work, the poetics of color and the beauty of a simple stitch are celebrated through a love of traditional craft and the manipulation of those traditional techniques and concepts to identify new possibilities and expand the boundaries of my artistic practice.
Links and Downloadable PDFs
Katherine's Teaching Philosophy