Birling Gap 1

Birling Gap 1 - W21 cm × H32 cm

This was my first embroidery inspired by Birling Gap on the Sussex coast. Although the weather was calm on the day I visited, there was unmistakable evidence everywhere of the sea's tremendous power. The chalk boulders scattered across the beach had fallen from the towering cliffs behind, reminding me that this peaceful landscape is constantly being reshaped by the elements.

Rather than separating the beach from the sea, I wanted the dark pebbles to merge almost seamlessly into the rippling water. The shoreline becomes deliberately ambiguous, allowing the textures and colours to flow together, while the white chalk fragments remain as quiet markers of the coastline's continual change.

The photograph I took served only as a reminder of the place. What interested me was not recording the scene exactly, but recreating its atmosphere through layers of fabric and free-motion embroidery. Soft blues, mauves and greys blend gently together, creating a sense of stillness that contrasts with the knowledge of the powerful forces hidden beneath the surface.

Although I later felt this piece did not express the full strength of the sea as I had experienced it, it became an important stepping stone. It led directly to Birling Gap II, where I explored those dramatic forces more boldly. Looking back, I appreciate this embroidery for its quiet mood and its reflection on the fragile relationship between land and sea.