Stepping Back in the Studio

Sharon Peoples is a machine embroiderer with over 20 year experience. She is well known for her explorations on the theme of red shoes. Her first travelling solo exhibition was 100 Red Shoes, beginning at Object Galleries in Sydney and travelled throughout regional NSW. Peoples has exhibited nationally and internationally with work in public and private collections throughout Australia.

The genesis of this theme stems from a gift of hand made red leather slippers.  An embroidered image was made for a postcard. As these postcards were sent to colleagues, friends and family, red shoes began to arrive on her studio doorstep. She has over 20 pairs of red shoes stored in her studio, let alone those in her own personal wardrobe.

Although her work has diversified from this theme in recent years, the red shoes are often used as a starting point for developing new technical processes.  Machine embroidered lace is one technique that she has begun to work with.