Pedal-Powered Sewing: Artist Bikes Up Brighton's Royal Pavilion Portrait

Harriet Riddell is an artist who creates portraits and scenes by sewing with a machine. What makes her work unique is that her sewing machine is powered by a bicycle. Members of the public are invited to pedal the bike, which generates electricity for the sewing machine. Right now, Harriet is working on a new project in Brighton. She is sewing a portrait of the Royal Pavilion, one of the city's most famous buildings. She set up her sewing station in the Pavilion Gardens, where people can watch her work and even help by riding the bike.

Harriet enjoys talking to the people who come to pedal the bike. She says that while she sews, people share their stories with her, and she loves hearing about their lives. She believes this collaboration helps her capture the true personality of Brighton in her artwork. Harriet started sewing as an art form when she was at university, where she first practiced life drawing. She then began sewing in public places like cafes and pubs. At first, she used motorcycle batteries to power her sewing machine, which allowed her to travel and work in different countries, including India.

In 2016, Harriet switched to using a bicycle to power her sewing machine. She says this change made her art more interactive and helped her connect with people on the street. Harriet documents her projects on social media, where she has over 220,000 followers on Instagram. She plans to do as much of the Royal Pavilion portrait as she can in Brighton, then finish it in her studio in Eastleigh. Hedley Swain, the chief executive of Brighton and Hove Museums, says that the Pavilion Garden is a lively place for creative activities and that Harriet's project is a great way to bring people together. Harriet feels honored to be working in Brighton and hopes her art will reflect the city's unique character.