top of page

Simone's
Hand-Punched Textiles

punch-needle embroidered & hand-tufted fine textiles

One-of-a-kind, dynamic creations involving cultural investigation, pop-culture and identity. Simone creates colourful works of portraiture and kindred creatures, resulting in unique tapestries evoking an undeniable charm. 

(Be)Longing Portraits 2023

(Be)Longing is a series of portraits that uplift sisterhood, each woman accentuated by a magnificent metallic gold sun - like a crown - beaming forth her light. Colourful and vibrant motifs thread with care and love, honouring a diverse sisterhood!

6 portraits

each textile hand tufted acrylic, cotton, wool and metallic yarn on cotton rug warp. 76.2 x 50.8 x 3 cm

(be)Longing

Verchü and the Chronicles of the Unicorn 2022 - 2023

This series of 4 works is Saunders' reinterpretation of the Hunt of the Unicorn, centering her
heroine Verchü (phonetic spelling of Virtue) a Black woman who ultimately saves the Unicorn in a
pointed retelling of the allegorical Renaissance hunt. The utopian world depicted in Saunders’ work is
as detailed and referential as the original, replacing the white virgin with a symbol of Black femininity
amid lush tropical flora and fauna.
In the first tapestry, Verchü encounters the Unicorn within the white fence (sacred garden) where she
frees the Unicorn of its chains. In the second, Verchü rides the freed Unicorn galloping with her braids
and the Unicorn’s mane flowing in the wind while shadowy figures follow behind them. In the third
tapestry Verchü and the Unicorn are seen nestled below a rocky cliff with a cascading waterfall. In the
fourth and final work, Verchü and the Unicorn embrace, along with a harmonious menagerie,
revealing the restoration of a beautiful and synchronized world.

Harmony Sings At Dusk, 2023

hand-tufted acrylic, cotton, wool and metallic yarn on cotton rug warp. 167.64 x 140.97 x 1.5 cm

Saunders_Harmony Sings At Dusk

Affirmations of Day, 2022

hand-tufted acrylic, cotton, wool and metallic yarn on cotton rug warp. 167.64 x 140.97 x 1.5 cm

Saunders_Affirmation of the Day_1_edited.jpg

Break Away At Dawn, 2022

hand-tufted acrylic, cotton, wool and metallic yarn on cotton rug warp. 167.64 x 140.97 x 1.5 cm

Saunders_Break Away at Dawn_1_edited.jpg

Release in Darkness, 2022

hand-tufted acrylic, cotton, wool and metallic yarn on cotton rug warp. 167.64 x 140.97 x 1.5 cm

Saunders_Release In Darkness

Ancestral Bodies
2021 - 

The figures are rendered as ethereal and sentient beings. I tuft line-work with beige thread outlining the bodies and then I fill with gold-flecked black thread. The bodies illuminate from the textile, as though constellations are captured from within. In creating the bodies this way, I am honouring my ancestors, acknowledging that they are with the stars.  Everything they have given to this world, all past, present and future into one. Their struggles, their love, their bodies now at one with the stars. We are imprints of our ancestors, learning and discovering through them to ourselves. We are impacted by histories, we are fragments of those who came before us. We are more than our bodies, we radiate an energy that is tethered to a lineage beyond comprehension. This is the foundation for my series Ancestral Bodies. Each textile captures a different message of light and love and a connection to the stars... to our universe.

Synchronicity 2022

hand-tufted acrylic, velvet, cotton and wool yarn on cotton rug warp. 167.64 x 157.48 x 1.5 cm

Synchronicity 2022.jpg

WORTHY 2022

hand-tufted acrylic, velvet, cotton and wool yarn on cotton rug warp. 162.56 x 163.83 x 1.5 cm.

Worthy.jpg

Internal Reflections 2022

hand-tufted acrylic, cotton and velvet yarn on rug warp. 165.02 cm x 158.75 cm x 1.5 cm.

Internal Reflections 2022.jpg

Sun Rays, 2022

hand-tufted acrylic, cotton and velvet yarn on rug warp. 165.1 x 78.5 x 1.5 cm

SunRays2022.jpg

Star Gaze, 2022

hand-tufted acrylic, cotton and velvet yarn on rug warp. 165.1 x 78.5 x 1.5 cm

StarGaze2022.jpg

She Reveals, 2022

hand-tufted acrylic, wool and velvet yarn on rug warp. 165.1 cm x 153.67 cm x 1.5 cm.

She-Reveals.jpg

A Prayer, 2021

hand-tufted acrylic and cotton yarn on rug warp.167.64 cm x 162.56 cm x 1.5 cm. Photo by Jesse Tamayo.

A Prayer, 2021. Photo by Jesse Tamayo.jpg

The Messenger, 2021

hand-tufted velvet, acrylic and cotton yarn on rug warp, 165.1 x 156.2 x 1.5 cm. Photo by Jesse Tamayo.

The Messenger, 2021. Photo by Jesse Tamayo.jpg

Cosmos : Creation, 2021

hand-tufted velvet, acrylic and wool yarn on rug warp, 162.56 x 165.1 x 1.5 cm. Photo by Jesse Tamayo.

Cosmos : Creation, 2021. Photo by Jesse Tamayo.jpg

Rise Up: Encompass the Galaxy, 2021

hand-tufted velvet, acrylic and wool yarn on rug warp, 168 x 163.5 x 1.5 cm. Photo by Jesse Tamayo.

Rise Up: Encompass the Galaxy, 2021. Photo by Jesse Tamayo.jpg

Unwavering Grace: Legacy of the Stars, 2021

hand-tufted velvet, acrylic and wool yarn on rug warp, 164.5 x 161 x 2 cm. Photo by Jesse Tamayo.

Unwavering Grace: Legacy of the Stars, 2021. Photo by Jesse Tamayo.jpg

Protect Black Women 
2020-2021

I start with a gaze. When creating portraits of Black women, I want our power and resilience to shine through. And the eyes are portals. I aim for intent,  for the gaze to pull in and engage the viewer. The character is developed through a curiosity for connection: what is happening in the world? What is this figure wanting to say? 

I am completely enamoured by Art Nouveau. The whimsy and grace, with figures adorned in golds and surrounded by intoxicatingly rich patterns. And the way in which women were portrayed in Art Nouveau, so sensual and alluring. I adopt the techniques and inspiration from this era and emulate my own style, championing Black womanhood, creating, “BLACK NOUVEAU"

Excellence, 2021

hand-tufted velvet, acrylic and wool yarn on rug warp, 152.4 x 152.4 x 1.5 cm. Photo by Jesse Tamayo.

Excellence, 2021. Photo by Jesse Tamayo.jpg

Lady Justice, 2021

hand-tufted velvet and acrylic yarn on rug warp, 165.1 x 142.25 x 1.5 cm. Photo by Jesse Tamayo.

Lady Justice, 2021. Photo by Jesse Tamayo.jpg

She Summons, 2020

hand-tufted velvet and acrylic yarn on rug warp, 162.56 x 147.32 x 1.5 cm. Collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Courtesy of the artist.

2020SheSummons.jpg

Queen of Diamonds, 2020

hand-tufted velvet, acrylic and wool yarn on rug warp, 165.1 x 76.2 x 1.5 cm. Courtesy of Artist.

Queen of Diamonds.jpg

Queen of Hearts, 2020

hand-tufted velvet, acrylic and wool yarn on rug warp, 165.1 x 76.2 x 1.5 cm. Courtesy of Artist.

Queen of Hearts.jpg

Queen of Spades, 2020

hand-tufted velvet, acrylic and wool yarn on rug warp, 165.1 x 76.2 x 1.5 cm. Courtesy of Artist.

Queen of Spades.jpg

Queen of Clubs, 2020

hand-tufted velvet, acrylic and wool yarn on rug warp, 165.1 x 76.2 x 1.5 cm. Courtesy of Artist.

Queen of Clubs.jpg

She Prevails, 2020

hand-tufted velvet and acrylic yarn on rug warp, 157.48 x 152.4 x 1.5 cm. Private Collection. Photo by Jesse Tamayo.

She Prevails, 2020 Photo by Jesse Tamayo.jpg

She Grows, 2020

hand-tufted velvet and acrylic yarn on rug warp, 160.02 x 134.62 x 1.5 cm. Collection of the Hill Harper Museum, Detroit, Michigan, United States. Photo by Jesse Tamayo.

She Grows 2020 Photo by Jesse Tamayo

Portraits
2019-2020

It Matters I, 2020

hand-tufted velvet and acrylic yarn on rug warp, 81.28 x 58.42 x 1.5 cm. Private Collection. Courtesy of the artist.

Black%20Lives%20Matter%20-%20Saunders_ed

It Matters II, 2020

hand-tufted velvet and acrylic yarn on rug warp, 81.28 x 58.42 x 1.5 cm. Private Collection. Courtesy of the artist.

Black Lives Matter II - Saunders.jpg

Alicia, 2020

hand-tufted velvet and acrylic yarn on rug warp, 86.36 x 60.96 x 1.5 cm. Courtesy of the artist.

Alicia-Full.jpg

Eve, 2020

hand-tufted velvet and acrylic yarn on rug warp, 88.9 x 55.88 x 1.5 cm. Private Collection. Courtesy of the artist.

Saunders -Eve.jpg

Dr.King, 2020

hand-tufted velvet and acrylic yarn on rug warp, 91.44 x 26.04 x 1.5 cm. Courtesy of the artist.

Dr.King-Saunders.jpg

Little One, 2020

hand-tufted velvet and acrylic yarn on rug warp, 60.96 x 50.8 x 1.5 cm. Private Collection. Courtesy of the artist.

Little One. 22" x 26"

Justice for Ahmaud Arbery, 2020

hand-tufted velvet and acrylic yarn on rug warp, 81.28 x 58.42 x 1.5 cm. Courtesy of the artist

Ahmaud Arbery 25" x 36"

G a i a, 2020

hand-tufted velvet and acrylic yarn on rug warp, 88.9 x 63.5 x 1.5 cm. Private Collection. Courtesy of the artist.

Gaia-instagram.jpg

Bob, 2020

hand-tufted velvet and acrylic yarn on rug warp, 71.12 x 63.5 x 1.5 cm. Courtesy of the artist

BOB.jpg

She Holds the Key, 2020

hand-tufted velvet and acrylic yarn on rug warp, 157.48 x 152.4 x 1.5 cm. Collection of the Mint Museum, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Courtesy of the artist.

She Holds the Key 62" x 65"

She Watches, She Waits, 2020

hand-tufted velvet and acrylic yarn on rug warp, 142.24 x 137.16 x 1.5 cm. Private Collection. Courtesy of the artist.

Nina 62" x 60"

She Emerges (Self), 2020

hand-tufted velvet and acrylic yarn on rug warp, 160.02  x 134.62 x 1.5 cm. Courtesy of the artist

IMG_0908_edited.png

Duppy Dupplicity, 2019

hand-tufted velvet and acrylic yarn on rug warp, 152.4 x 152.4 x 1.5 cm. Courtesy of the artist.

Duppy Dupplicity, 62" x 62"

Gems (Namesake), 2019

 hand-tufted velvet and acrylic yarn on rug warp, 152.4  x 127 x 1.5 cm. Private Collection. Courtesy of the artist.

Gems. 54" x 60"

Bey, 2019

hand-tufted velvet and acrylic yarn on rug warp, 152.4 x 152.4 x 1.5 cm. Courtesy of the artist

Bey 60"
bottom of page