Royal Society of Arts

We are all delighted to hear Hilary has recently been honoured with a very special award, Life Membership of the Royal Society of Arts!!  Her link with the society came about when she worked for a bursary during her degree course, Contemporary Crafts at MMU.  During this time Hilary was able to research Japanese traditions and techniques used in both textiles and metalwork.

Yesterday Hilary gave us a very interesting talk about her work and showed us some of her lovely examples (photography by Elizabeth).  With references to hidden thoughts and camouflage, her beautiful tactile pieces show a clever combination of materials and an in depth knowledge of Japanese crafts.

Must add that the exquisite tray cloth under her pieces was worked by Hilary's mother when she was at the Royal School of Needlework.

Trebah Garden

Trebah Garden, near Falmouth, Cornwall is the source of inspiration for Rowena Ardern's latest exhibition 'Natural Interioers'.  Working from her many drawings and photos Rowena has produced a series of lively and colourful designs for use on fabrics, furniture and ceramics.  Her collection can be seen at the Visitors Centre in Trebah Garden until 2nd October 2011. http://www.trebahgarden.co.uk/

Bit too far for me to travel to see Rowena's exhibition at the moment but I have seen some of the work during the making and it is indeed like a breath of fresh air.  She has a sensitive approach to drawing which is beautifully translated with stitch and colour showing a natural empathy with plant life.  Please leave a comment if you manage to see the exhibition.        Jen

To see further work by Rowena Ardern please follow the link to her website http://www.rowenaardern/.com

New Exhibition!

Saturday was the opening of our latest exhibition 'Mark in Stitch' at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery.
Always an exciting occasion when we see the work displayed on the walls for the first time;  Martha and her team at Buxton have done well!

The gallery is a nice open space with good spotlighting ensuring that every piece can be seen properly; a necessity for textile enthusiasts who like to consider the materials and techniques each artist has used!  For variety of wall hung pieces, this exhibition will not disappoint.

 The image above gives a little taster of what is on view.  Sylvia's brightly coloured canvas worked with alpaca fleece describes the wonderful colours and experiences she enjoyed when visiting her daughter in New Zealand earlier this year.  From the left it leads onto Hilary's beautifully hand embroidered natural history images collected from around the world.  Next is Bridget's sensitive response in paper and stitch to loss and the relevance of objects when dealing with loss.  The space surrounding her manipulated paper hangings is an integral part of this piece offering quiet contemplation and reflection. On a lighter note Val's garments always bring a smile, full of anecdotes and images from the 1950's and 1960's; things we remember ourselves or from the stories we have heard.

There is much more to see, seven more artists work as well as more of both Sylvia's and Val's; it is well worth the visit and Buxton has plenty of coffee shops!!

Please follow the link for Buxton opening times, the exhibition is on until 12th November and we are having another Meet the Artist Day, Thursday 27th October 2-4pm.   Jen

Preparing for 'Mark in Stitch'

September has arrived bringing strong winds and rain, whatever happened to summer?  Despite the lack of sunshine, yesterday was a pleasant journey across the Cat and Fiddle road over to Buxton, where our next exhibition begins on Saturday.  At this time of the year the purply heathers enhance the wonderful autumnal colours of the moorland.

Three cars were needed to transport the work and we were very grateful for the assistance Buxton gave us in unloading and taking it up the stairs into the gallery.  Members of Cheshire Textiles are brilliant at packaging with specially made calico bags and ingenious boxes for the unframed pieces.  As always it is exciting to reveal the finished work because in many cases we might share initial ideas and thoughts but much of the work is done in our own work place.

After delivering and unpacking, Buxton now has unenviable task of displaying it!  With their expertise I am sure they will do a lovely job.  We have included sketch books for the cabinets and artists books full of samples and text for the visitors to enjoy and understand a little of how we arrive at the finished pieces!

Please do visit the exhibition Mark in Stitch at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery.  It starts Saturday 10th September when some of Cheshire Textiles will be available for a chat between 2 and 4pm. 

Exhibition continues until Novemebr 12th.  Jen

Next Exhibition

What a lovely invitation!  It is all thanks to Grazyna who has created this special invitation for our next exhibition coming up soon! 

Art in Action - first visit!

Getting quite excited, only one day left until my very first visit to Art in Action.  I know lots of people who have been before and it comes highly recommended!

Established in 1977, (I was only 11 years old then!) the four day event continues to grow in success.  Hosted by Waterpenny House, near Oxford, I hear it is very well run, well attended and has an amazing atmosphere.
This year it starts Thursday 21st July and continues until Sunday 24th July.
http://www.artinaction.org.uk/what-is-art-in-action

The programme looks stunning with over 170 artists from various disciplines, demonstrating their skills and over 100 artists/designers/makers selling their work in the market.  Then there is the house and gardens, a variety of live music and dance performances, story telling etc........  I know one day will not be long enough!!

I'm particulalry looking forward to seeing textile artists Dionne Swift, Roanna Wells and Pat Hodson as well as the installation by Rebecca Glover, glass by Rachel Welford and Paperworks/books by Sarah Morpeth.
Oh and not forgetting the artist who gave me my very first job - David Firmstone!

My mouth is watering with the thought of so much creativity in one place!
http://www.dionneswift.co.uk/
http://www.roannawells.co.uk/
http://www.pathodson.co.uk/
http://www.rebeccaglover.co.uk/
http://www.rachelwelford.co.uk/
http://www.sarahmorpeth.com/
http://www.davidfirmstone.com/

If you are going too .......ENJOY !!                Bridget

Bees in Manchester

The flowers in my garden have been beautiful this year, probably all down to the warm spring.  Unfortunately many have been battered this weekend with the heavy showers but it was good to look back over my photographs and remember the tall fox gloves and the heavy headed pink poppies that spread like weeds but create a wonderful splash of colour.  Great plants for attracting the bees.

I discovered yesterday that simple gold coloured linear images of bees are scattered around Manchester and are apparently a symbol of the city that was adopted during the Industrial Revolution.  It was during a guided walk that I had joined to look at the magnificent architecture, when I kept coming across the symbol on small black posts used to direct and protect pedestrians.

The bee denotes Mancunians hard work during the Industrial Revolution and how Manchester was a 'hive' of activity during this period! 
How many times do we walk with a purpose, head down, on a mission and miss so much?  The walk was part of  Manchester's Festival and it certainly helped open my eyes to what is above my head!  Jen