The Metre Piece Challenge

 There is nothing like a challenge to take you out of your comfort zone and get the creative juices flowing,
Back in Spetember Grazyna presented each of us with a beautifully rolled square metre of linen fabric. Attached was a hand written label bearing our name and two simple instructions, 'All the fabric to be used' and 'Stitching to be used'.

Bombarded with thoughts and ideas, strangely the rolls remained tied ......linen can be a difficult fabric to work with, a metre square is  an intimidating size for those who like to work small and the off white colour is like a blank canvas .....where do we start?

Using the offcuts, we experimented and sampled guided by intuition and experience.  Confidence was not high and many a moan and groan could be heard.

Mid March and all was revealed ....what a fabulous surprise.  The metre pieces of linen had been transformed into a delightful mix of hangings and 3D.  Familiar traits could be seen but there were also explorations into new territory and a whole host of ideas for further development. 

 A copy of the magazine 'Selvedge' is the starting point for our next challenge put forward by Elizabeth.  I hope the outcome is as exciting as the 1st challenge.                                     
                                                                                      Jen

Grayson Perry, The Vanity of Small Differences

Grayson Perry

The Vanity of Small Differences

Manchester Art Gallery

ends 2nd February 2014

Wish I could post some images form this exhibition but copyright prevents me from doing so, however many will have seen the TV documentaries on Chananel 4 'All in the Best Possible Taste with Grayson Perry'  From his investigations into social class and how taste defines the classes, Perry gathered enough visual images to design 6 fabulous tapestries.  They were woven in Belgium.

The tapestries based on Hogarth's 'A Rake's Progress' are full of symbolism and colour making them a delight on different levels.  There are references to religious paintings and do try and spot the hidden logo in each one.  The interactive Ipads support the thought processes and if you have 45 minutes to spare at the end, the  programme is worth a watch.  It made me realise how carefully Perry had observed daily life. 

An important social comment which must be treasured!                               Jen

Val Jackson's talk about her MA Textiles

Mapping the Interface between Two Contrasting Identities

the troussseau

We have been treated to a fascinating talk by Val Jackson, one of our members who has just completed an MA in Textiles at MMU.  Val's area of study was based on her Mother and her two contrasting identities she had as a member of the WAF and then that of a 'typical' wife/mother during the 1950's.  Supported with boxes of artefacts her Mother had carefully stored, Val had plenty to refer to, including her trousseau!

During the two years Val used the Irish machine, multi head and digital printing and was able to extend her skills.  She created banners and lengths of fabric, learnt pattern cutting and styled garments from the time.  Detailed journals and sketchbooks gave a wonderful insight into her thought processes and hinted at the heavy demands of an MA.



We all thoroughly enjoyed the talk and eagerly wait to see what comes next in Val's work.  Congratulations on the achievement and thank you Val.                                                                                

                                                                                  Jen

Grazyna's Sketchbooks

Grazyna's Sketchbooks



At the AGM in September we all agreed to be a little more resourceful and harness some of the creative spirit and talent within group for our regular meetings.  We are always keen to discuss what's on and exhibitions we have seen but we sometimes forget that as individual artists we could share more of ourselves.  This week Grazyna did just that and brought in some of her wonderful sketchbooks dating back to her time at Goldsmith's where she studied Graphic Design.

We were mesmerised by both the size and detail of Grazyna's botanical watercolours and the emotion captured in her figure drawings, they were indeed a privilege to see.

This style of drawing is very demanding and with a growing family Grazyna looked to City & Guilds Embroidery to broaden her skills and develop a freer approach.  Since then she has been an active member of Cheshire Textiles and continues to produce the most amazing sketchbooks.  They might be a different style with less realism but they still reflect Grazyna's skill and creative talent.  Thank you for sharing them.             Jen



Two pages from Grazyna's City & Guilds sketchbook.



CLOTH & MEMORY

Textile Exhibition

SALTS MILL, SALTAIRE, WEST YORKSHIRE

until November 3rd

Sue has just been to see this wonderful exhibition and urges all to go and see it before it closes on Sunday.

23 international artists have responded to an exceptional space, the original spinning room, with some remarkable work ranging from textile based installations to iPad drawings by local people who worked at the mill.

Caroline Bartlett's stunning installation comprises of a series of embroidery hoops with stretched woollen  cloth in which porcelain roundels impressed with stitching have been  incorporated.

Reece Clements felt and mixed media hangings are a direct response to the texture and architecture of Saltaire. Pin striped fabric lengths with laser drawn images have been trapped within the needle punched felt lengths.

Other artists have used knitted, woven and stretched threads to explore the physical space, memories and Saltaire's environment.  The imaginative use of materials combined with a high standard of craft making skills makes this a visually stunning exhibition in an amazing space.  Try not to miss it!                    Sue

Marc Chagall

TATE LIVERPOOL

CHAGALL - Modern Master



This is an amazing exhibition which focuses on the work of Marc Chagall ( 1887 - 1985 ) during his time in Paris before World War I and the years he spent in his native Russia ( 1914 - 1922 )

The exhibition is made up of a range of brightly coloured semi abstract paintings and beautifully executed pen and ink drawings and watercolours  which incorporate images from his early life in Russia as a Hasidic Jew.

The early paintings show Chagall's brilliance in using colour and a highly personal visual language - with  themes such as love, and suffering alongside self-portraits and images of peasants, music and the theatre.  These recurring themes appear constantly throughout his long career, in fact the last room in the exhibition shows the original stunning large murals which Chagall was commissioned to produce for the State Jewish Chamber Theatre in 1920, 

The quality of drawing, composition, sensitive use of colour and imagery of these murals leave you in awe as you look onto the vast canvases which the Tate have hung specially in a designated space, replicating the original theatre space.

The exhibition closes on October 6th 2013 but if you don't get to see it, look at the Tate's website

www.tate.org.uk/Liverpool or you can see a Chagall and Soutine alongside their contemporaries of the School of Paris at the Manchester Jewish Museum until November 24th  www.manchesterjewishmuseum.com                                                           Sue

Chelsea Physic Garden

A wonderful little oasis in the middle of busy London. 

Chelsea Physic Garden was founded in 1673 by the Society of Apothecaries and is one of Europe's oldest botanic gardens. Deceptively small but beautifully laid out with all sorts of interesting plants and they are labelled! There is so much for the gardener, historian, artist, photographer and those who just want to enjoy the peace and tranquillity. The garden's old world charm is reflected in the cafe, both in how it presents and serves the food as well as the delicious cakes!

On the line of food I would like to thank Shosh for her hospitality and a fabulous lunch on Tuesday!  We all had a lovely time and have suggested she put together a recipe book!!  Summer holidays until September but no doubt we will all be busy; does an artist ever take a break???