Sophie Barnard

I’ve worked with and alongside art and artists since college but always felt nervous with my own art and the ‘final piece’, how it looked, was it finished etc but I started punch needling as a way around my anxiety of figurative drawing (and so I could do something while I binged watched tv). The subject itself feels like it doesn’t matter too much, nor the end result, as I find the whole process so enjoyable. Its tactile, and comforting. It’s play. Playing with materials, colour, human form and human condition. Instagram: @rug_puncher

Where would you like your work to take you?

Physically, I’d like to be able to show my work all over and enjoy the travel that comes with that, but mentally if it takes me out of myself for a bit that’s nice too.

Which part of your creative process do you enjoy most?

I take pleasure in all aspects of my process, scaling up a drawing can be frustrating when it’s not going well (I don’t have a projector) but it’s so satisfying once it’s ready for the next stage, the actual punch needling again is super satisfying, the punch and pull, the repetitive motion makes it quite a meditative experience. trimming the back, finally binding the edges, it all has this gorgeous physicality to it, and theres a different technique to be utilised at each stage so I cant get bored, my attention span is terrible so it really works here.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

i take inspiration from my life a lot, my experiences at home and at work, these moments that happen without you noticing, a cig break at work or inspecting your skin in the mirror. I like the town I live in, the strangeness in its streets and in its people. Things left on the floor, silly writing on the wall, funny interactions seen from the outside. Bodies, and our internal relationship with them. Manipulating them is fun. I think that’s what inspires me the most, people having fun. Life is hard, we should have more fun.

What piece of music would you say compliments your work the most?

The album Fever To Tell - Yeah Yeah Yeahs, It’s intricate, feminine and in your face.

Can you list a couple other creatives/friends/people you look to for inspiration?

There are so many people who inspire me but a few; Anya Paintsil, Tanya Nonthando Wilson, Hannah Epstein, Sonia Boyce, Patti Smith, Dolly Parton.. this list is endless