Creating with Cordyline plant fibres

I’ve been collecting the fallen and dead leaves of the Lily Palm (Cordyline) here in Penzance. I’ve been stripping the leaves to make cordage from them, and this art piece (above) celebrates the process of transforming the leaves into other objects. My aim: appreciation, honouring, pausing to enjoy the simple shapes and colours of these long leaves before I shred them into finer fibres. This piece is stitched together using cordage made from the same plant.

Turning full circle

Using an ancient technique known as ‘nal binding’ I have been creating circular works out of Cordyline leaves. By first shredding the leaves to extract the fibres, I then using a counter-twisting technique to create cordage before creating a circular hanging.

I hope that these works highlight the beauty and functionality of this plant and help the audience pause to consider its uses other than as a garden ornamental palm.

Would you like to work creatively with plants?

I run workshops in cordage making and coil basketry, introducing these ancient techniques for practical and creative projects.