SMS is an exhibition of work by Kate Pemberton. The work makes a comparison between two creative processes: cross-stitch design and creation, and pixel design on a computer. It comments on the sentiment, social statement and gender associations of the two.

All counted cross-stitch designs are made up of small squares, which become square stitches on perforated fabric. In a similar way, web design and print graphics use small squares, called pixels, to build up an image.

SMS makes use of mobile phone communication – disposable images and messages that can be copied, passed on or deleted. By stitching them into fabric the motifs become embedded with sentiment rather than being throw away files. The messages differ from messages found in traditional needlecraft, indicating perhaps that technology has given us a new tone of visual language.