I am developing two bodies of work concurrently that differ primarily in process. Pictorial tapestry is about mastery, narrative, and technique, and is the vehicle I employ to portray subject matter of life-changing and mythic proportion. Collage offers to me the opportunity of more spontaneity of process, and thus is appropriate for more intuitive and visceral responses to the world. All of my work explores the metaphoric and symbolic meanings of textiles, the body, and objects of nature.

The tapestry grows from a life process of writing, drawing, dyeing, and weaving, and usually involves several years' commitment to create the final piece, woven from wool, silk, and metal thread. Connection with this ancient process of weaving adds content and context to the work. In the collage there is much layering of materials. This is emblematic of the many layers of perception we bring to our way of knowing - conscious and sub-conscious, felt or seen. A transparent veil of silk is often incorporated, the veil between the visible and inner or other worlds. On this veil words form or objects stand suspended, in the moment before we look within and see the further workings beyond or within us.

Joyce Hulbert has been exhibiting in national and international exhibitions for the past 14 years, and her art and articles published in numerous books, catalogs, and magazines. She is also the owner of Joyce Hulbert Tapestry and Textile Restoration offering restoration, conservation, and mounting of ancient, antique, and contemporary textile art.