Madeleine Hinchy / Untitled Triptych

Writer, Madeleine Hinchy embroidered on organic cotton proto samples for Mind Mend.

Tartan Mind Mend: Tell us about your re-imagined Tartan piece and what inspired you.
Madeleine Hinchy: The piece is about the ways we soothe - or feed - our anxiety with internal and external stimuli.

The quote that drove it was something my yin yoga teacher said in a livestream lockdown class.

She quoted the US poet Nayyirah Waheed: ‘If the ocean can calm itself, so can you. We are both saltwater mixed with air.’ The quote really stuck with me. I was thinking of how much we have to draw on our internal resources to deal with anxiety at this moment in time. Particularly, when you can't do many of the things you normally do - see friends or family or do group fitness.

I was also thinking about the lack of equity in lockdown for so many Sydneysiders whose 5km meant they couldn't reach the ocean. I feel like Sydney was divided in a really terrible way with the affluent having more space, more freedoms and more access to our city's natural beauty.

It's also a bit of a comment on social media and mental health. I am a digital marketer by day, and that means I am pushed to spend time in social media daily, whether it is good for me or not. The poet the quote came is known as perhaps the most 'insta-famous poet' in the world. There's an interesting tension on Instagram. It has all these really helpful mental health resources on there, but is simultaneously one of the most unhealthy places for your mental health! I wanted to play on the whole aesthetic of social media 'inspo' quotes.

TMM: Tell us about what you do that defines being a creative to you.
MH: Problem solving and connecting and telling a story by creating something.

TMM: What creative pursuits, little rituals, or things to look forward to, helped you to keep going during lockdown?
MH: Embroidery is a totally new thing to me. I started doing it in July 2021. I don't come from a particularly stitch friendly family. But I was looking for some non-screen time and thought I would give it a try.
I quickly became quite obsessed! It really picked up when I had to stop my Yin Yoga practice, which I had been finding really helpful in lockdown, as I injured my knee.

TMM: How has the lockdown affected your creative process?
MH: It triggered my creative process! I used to make a lot as a child and teenager but then moved into being a writer about the arts rather than a participant.

TMM: When the world opens back up, what is the first thing you would love to do?
MH: I would love to go to the ocean! I have been 'locked down' in lock down as I hurt my knee to the point I needed surgery. So I haven't been able to go anywhere as I live up two flights of stairs.

TMM: As a former editor and writer for Home & Interior magazines, how have you seen this industry change and adapt to become more sustainable?
MH: There have always been creative people in Australia who have been passionate about incorporating sustainable and ethical practices into their studios. I am not sure though that it has become more sustainable. I think until there is more of a circular economy and perhaps the right to repair movement takes off here like people are pushing for, it is still going to be too disposable for my liking!

100% Organic Cotton
Bamboo Hoops
Diameter: 20cm, 23cm & 32cm

Due to the handmade/second hand nature of this item any imperfections are considered intentional and are unique characteristics of this one of a kind piece. Over time changes may occur. Handle with care. No exchanges or refunds are available for Tartan Mind Mend charity auction items.

www.mhinchy.com