Printception - A print within a print

My masters Degree project from Swedish School of Textiles., where the aim was to explore the possibility of having multiple patterns on a single textile surface by layering patterns in contrasting scale an printing techniques.
The work sets out to explore a new way to approach historically common patterns to create a new and contemporary expression through the use of the three chosen pattern categories; floral, medallion and geometric.

By exploring different scales within the textile, motifs can hide in plain sight depending on the observers distance towards the textile. This concept is most clearly seen when you look at the textiles from a distance and then move closer towards it. From afar a floral motif is depicted but as you move closer, it dissolves into pieces of a geometric pattern with no flower to be seen.

Jacquard knitted fabrics with transfer print
On a industrial circular Jacquard knitting machine, I knitted the medallion patterned fabric in white Viscose and Polyester yarns. The Geometric flowers are then transfer printed onto the knit.
Transfer printing is a technique developed for synthetic materials, and i used this in combination with the material blend in the knitted medallion, to create the expression of a print within the print, as the pigment attaches itself to the polyester but not to the viscose.
Screen printed Digital print
Screen print and digital transfer print. On these two textiles with big peony illustrations I wanted to explore the hierarchy between the patterns and print, playing with which layer is considered to be on top or bottom. By mixing the pigment ink with puff paste and not activating the swelling everywhere, the screen printed geometric pattern sometimes appear to lay under or above the digital print. This effect is created because the puff paste is transparent until it's heated, after which its becomes opaque.  
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