Gordon Baldwin, Objects for a Landscape

Images have kindly been provided by Ruthin Craft Centre

Gordon Baldwin retrospective, touring exhibition 'Objects for a Landscape' organised by York Museums Trust, is now at Ruthin Craft Centre and well worth a visit.  The 148 mainly sculptural, free standing pieces dating back to 1966, stretch out across all three galleries.

Inspired by landscape, music and the work of fine artists like Paul Klee, Baldwin not only creates the most beautiful tactile forms but he integrates the surface with clever use of line, colour and texture as though it were a canvas.

Baldwin is very open about his creative journey, describing how it can take many months for a piece to be completed.  Dealing with the surface is the most agonizing part, often forcing him to revert to process just to get going.  The journey is finally crystalised when the form is given a title.

This exhibition is full of inspiration.  Every piece holds the attention and like a pebble on the beach, it is full of surprises.  The scale is a delight.  An exhibition not to be missed!      Jen

www.ruthincraftcentre.org.uk

Exhibition continues until 14th July 2013

Challenging Drawing

Challenging Drawing

Recent Drawings by Tim Dunbar

Waterside Art Centre, Sale, Trafford.

This really interesting exhibition is made up of drawings using scraper boards, photographs and Ipad images and takes a fresh look at drawing methods.  It makes references to mathematical diagrams, renaissance perspective and drawing conventions from the 16th Century.  Source material include iconic paintings such as Guernica, the site of the shooting of Martin Luther King, Homer Simpson and the wreckage of a car bomb from Baghdad.  A range of studio notebooks from this period are also displayed.

The exhibition really does 'challenge' notions of drawing.  Sue.

Gallery talk:
Drawing as a Contemporary Practice
Tuesday 7th May 10.30am

The work of Dianne Barratt

Dianne Barratt

It is always interesting to hear creative people talk about their practice but we were particularly interested to hear how Dianne had swapped the flexibility of stitch and fabric for the hard and rather unforgiving material -wood. When Dianne was a member of Cheshire Textiles she used the techniques of  quilting and applique to depict cartoon like characters, always with an underlying humorous message. 

It has taken many, many hours to learn her new skill of wood turning and carving and as with Dianne's textiles, her attention to detail and presentation is a pleasure to see. The top image illustrates her wit and humour, central to everything she makes, whatever the material. 

It was a privilege to see and touch the beautiful, tactile pieces and marvel at the wonderful set of hand tools she uses.  Thank you Dianne, it was lovely to see your work.

Margaret Marsden

Margaret Marsden

It has been a few weeks since the last entry on our blog and the exhibition at Jobling Gowler has now finished.  It was a very special exhibition for all of us in Cheshire Textiles because we sadly learnt of the death of Margaret Marsden only days before it began.  As a tribute to Margaret we agreed to donate a percentage of all our sales to St Lukes (Cheshire) Hospice.

Margaret will be dearly missed; she was a valued member of the group from the very early days, always playing an active role and sharing the responsibilities.  Her work showed an understanding and love of stitch, always full of energy and colour, as the images show.  Jean was a vey close friend of Margaret's and has written a lovely tribute to her on our website.   Jen

'Conversations with Water' moves on

to

Jobling Gowler 

250 Park Lane

Macclesfield

Cheshire. 

 SK11 8AD

www.art.250parklane.co.uk 

Monday - Friday 9.00 - 4.30

14th January - 28th February 2013

It was exciting on Saturday to see our touring exhibition 'Conversations with Water' take shape in its latest venue, Jobling Gowler.  Jobling Gowler is a working solicitors office with a main reception and several consulting rooms providing plenty of wall space.  We always appreciate space because it gives the pieces room to breathe and allows the viewer time to contemplate.  Stitched pieces can sometimes take months to come to fruition, each one being original and very often the result of much trial and effort.  We hope you enjoy the exhibition in its new space and the air of tranquillity it creates.   Jen

Exhibition at Farfield Mill

'Conversations with Water'

'A shining example of how a group show should look and hold together - a clear theme, beautifully interpreted  and superbly presented, including the samples available for handling'  Elizabeth Eaton, Farfield Mill.

Our exhibition, 'Conversations with Water',  in the Howgill Gallery at Farfield Mill, Sedbergh looks fantastic, we are all delighted with it.  Hanging an exhibition is physically very demanding and we are very grateful to Bridget, Grazyna and Sue, with the help of a few technicians, who spent a whole day putting it together.  To make the task easier, the layout had been loosley planned but it was good to have Elizabeth Eaton's tweaking and a real boost to receive her positive comments at the end.  

Cheshire Textiles are just one exhibition on view at Farfield Mill, there are four floors of interesting events centered around arts and crafts in addition to Weavers Cafe!

Converstions with Water runs until 2nd January 2013 but please check the website for opening hours

www.farfieldmill.org





Cheshire Textiles @ Farfield Mill

Phew! Just over two weeks to go and all my pieces for the exhibition have been photographed, tagged, wrapped, packed and recorded on the gallery stock sheet; all six are waiting to go!  This process is quite demanding and can take considerable time but there is an air of excitement, wondering what the exhibition will look like and hoping all the pieces will be selected.  It seems a long time ago since we visited Farfield Mill to look at the exhibition space and decide upon the title 'Conversations with Water'.

The Howgill Gallery is a lovely space with a variety of areas for presentation; this has encouraged some of us to move out of the frame and be influenced by the challenges of the gallery.  Not only will our pieces be for sale but we have also been making cards and smaller items, all of which will make excellent Christmas gifts.  Worth noting that Farfield Mill has one floor devoted to the work of local artists and together with a good quality cafe, it makes a great day out; who knows, you might find the perfect Christmas present! Jen

                                         Exhibition runs 17th November to 31st December 2012

                                   Opening Times - please check the website www.farfieldmill.org