Monday 26 September 2011

thoroughly modern wool . . . .

One of the highlights of my London visit was the Wool Modern exhibition on Pall Mall.  The show displayed a really interesting mix of fashion and interior products from designers such as Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood.  I was also really pleased to see the stunning work of Claire-Anne O'Brien who graduated from the RCA last year with me.  The show is up for another couple of days so catch it if you can.



Alexander McQueen
Giles Deacon
Claire-Anne O'Brien

Images from google and Claire-Annes website.

Origin highlights . . . .

On Friday I was down in London to check out all the delights of the design festival.  First stop was Origin, The Contemporary Craft Fair, where I got to catch up with familiar faces and make some new discoveries as well.  My favourite stand in the show was definitely Abigail Browns, who creates beautiful stitched birds.  Here are a few examples of her work, but take a look at her website for her full range of feathered friends.

Abigail Brown
Abigail Brown

I also really loved the retro look of James & Tilla Walters ceramics.

James & Tilla Walters
James & Tilla Walters
Also great to see the work of fellow Hothousers Emma Bradbury and Jasmin Giles, as well as my old bosses Wallace Sewell and Margo Selby.


Thursday 22 September 2011

experiments in flax . . .

Here's some images of the three leno panels that I made on the collaborative warp with Zoe Acketts Textiles.  The pieces were on show at the fantastic old flax mill in Shrewsbury a couple of weeks ago.




Wednesday 21 September 2011

Hotstuff . . .

I am delighted to officially be able to announce that I am part of the Crafts Council UKs Hothouse 2011.  Hothouse provides emerging makers (those defined as being within two years of setting up a practice) with a programme of focussed, intensive business skills and creative development, complimented with 1:1 support over a six month period.  I met everyone last week at the Design Council in London.  It looks like its going to be an exciting few months ahead.  We now have a facebook page so please 'like' us to see what we are up to. Check out the rest of the makers: Amy Bear, Aimee BettsEleanor BoltonEmma BradburyKevin BrookHannah Felicity DennisJane DzisiewskiAmelia FeverLucy Jane FoakesHelen FootJasmin GilesAnna GlasbrookMahtab HannaZehava Hashai-SpellmanTortie HoareAnna Collette Hunt, Zoe Lloyd, Hanna Nielsen, Elizabeth PeersCarly Petit-TaylorHelen SmithRhian SolomonThorodyEllen ThomasVictoria WalkerSarah Warsop andJanice Zethraeus.





Tuesday 13 September 2011

two become one . . . .

What happens when two weavers make two warps to make one cloth? . . .











This warp was a collaboration between Zoe Acketts and myself.  I shall post images of the woven cloth next week.

Thursday 8 September 2011

be there or be . . .






Tuesday night saw the opening of a new exhibition at Birmingham's Fotofilia Gallery.  The images have all been featured in Square Magazine, the only magazine which is dedicated entirely to the promotion of square format photography.  Some of my favourite images in the show where by Phil Bebbington, so here is a selection of his work for you . .





The exhibition runs until the 1st October.  The magazine is published on-line and comes out quarterly, click here to read latest issue of square. Images from http://philbebbington.com

Friday 2 September 2011

colour work . . .

Sonia Delaunay is primarily known as an abstract painter and colourist, as well as for her fashion illustrations. She co-founded the Orphism art movement which is based on abstraction and bright colours. Along with her husband, she pioneered the movement and re-launched the use of colour during the monochromatic Cubist movement. Her colour palette and simple geometric shapes are what really draws the eye and makes them unique, while having a contemporary feel. 








images taken from here