Nerissa Cargill Thompson explores environmental issues in her work. Mindful of the entirety of the climate crisis, she considers many themes from plastic pollution and waste, through textile art, using recycled materials. Nerissa particularly uses old clothing, and creates mixed-media sculptures from textiles and concrete (and more recently papercrete). She casts her work in the plastic packaging that we use and discard on a daily basis.
Where nature meets human
‘My aim is to make people consider the world around them and their responsibility to the environment. My work explores juxtapositions of structure, texture and colour, particularly where nature meets human. I create my signature textiles using a combination of embellishing and embroidery.’
Waste becomes subsumed into the environment and nature fights back…
Nerissa Cargill Thompson’s embellishment blends the fabrics together to create subtle variations in texture and tone to mimic lichens and moss. Through the concrete/papercrete, she captures the embossed patterns of the plastic. These represent manmade structures and gives a weight and presence more in-line with its legacy. The naturally inspired textures of her textiles emphasise the way our waste becomes subsumed into the environment, but also how nature fights back.
‘I am an active member of Spark Network of Northwest artists focussing on environmental concerns. Through GroundWork I feel I could connect in a similar way nationally and even internationally. I have followed Groundwork for many years; admiring the interesting programme of exhibitions and events.’
Exhibiting and awards
Nerissa Cargill Thompson originally trained in Theatre Design at Nottingham (1995). She returned to college, studying MA Textile Practice, Manchester School of Art (2018). Nerissa is regularly exhibiting both textile wall art and mixed media sculptures in open calls, member exhibitions and as an invited artist. Most recently her work appeared in the Design Nation “What is Precious?” Sustainability showcase at GNCCF.
Nerissa has been a winner AWOL/Comme Ca Open (2022), and gained second place Sustainability First Art Award (2021). She was shortlisted Fine Art Textile Award (2020). She created a series of 11 sculptures highlighting issues around coastal plastic pollution as commission for Fylde Council (2022). Nerissa Cargill Thompson also works as a community artist, facilitating projects and workshops using recycled materials.
