13 July – 11 September 2022
This inaugural graduation exhibition of a three-year research course brings together a group of textile artists who, in partnership with their own skills and collegiate collaboration, extend and define their individual work
My exhibition is a collection of memories which tell the story of a journey along the canal. It is my interpretation of canal life, highlighting the many combinations of connections and contrasts I encountered. The sights and smells; the stillness and laughter, together with the marriage of historical elements and the contemporary. My focus throughout has been the intersections between the organic nature of the foliage, the fluidity, movement and reflections of the water and the man-made, structural aspects of the built environment. In response I have created fragmented, balanced abstract compositions rich in colour contrasts and texture.
With a focus on mark-making the Fellowship Programme at ArtyBird has enabled me to push the boundaries of my work by increasing the depth and complexity of layers to create more detailed narratives. Using a range of tools, both analogue and digital, and incorporating a variety of techniques, including shibori resist dyeing, printing, and embroidery, I have developed my own visual language through which I communicate in both 2D and 3D to realise my vision.
As in true canal folklore I take visual art to the world of utilitarian items with my coordinating range of wall art and contemporary, decorative, functional art items for the home.
My work is entrenched in the relationships we all have with the environment, the world, and the people. Where the medium is of the earth. Where a partnership of natural elements and expertise generate a fusion of tactile satisfaction to create a sense of ‘place’ and its expression of ‘home’. To touch, to see and to plumb the depths in a new dimension takes time as each viewing will bring another nuance to the eye.
My identity within the land is embedded in my spirit and when I do my art it’s a symbolic expression of that. This connection goes beyond words and is immersed in my spiritual orientation to my place.
I work with fibre and textiles. I am currently creating and working with my own natural inks. These are made from my environment and are indicative of my environment, of my place and relationships I have within it.
Explorations in creative textile designs should be free of ‘ought’s’. What we ought to do, think and say about the work we make. For me the design process starts well before pen is put to paper. My Inspiration comes from visual impressions, a reflection, or a photo of a moment in time that you can only return to as a memory.
The technical challenges of making functional fabrics, made with a purpose in mind yet at the same time tell a story, has occupied my creative thinking and experimentation. When I make cloth, it becomes precious. I constantly think about the purpose of the work I make and how I value traditional crafts within my designs. My designs link to art as a lived space, functional yet special, strong textiles yet tactile, linking crafting skills into professionally executed resolved pieces.
My Intersection of Crossing Places collection is autobiographical, building on my MA in Arts Health, my personal beliefs, the importance of hospitality, communication, and connections. Yet my work is about shared experiences, the everyday things that others might take for granted. Pause for a moment and take time to view each piece, then relate them to your personal lived experience.
Felt making caught my interest many years ago and has become a way to channel my creativity and express my feelings through colour. I now have some physical restraints that have shaped the way in which I work. At times this has been challenging, but always exciting to find a way of achieving the effect I want.
Within the ArtyBird Fellowship framework I have been exploring ways to express my desire to ‘open a window’ to the secretive side of nature, which is not easily seen. I have concentrated on the little-seen beauty on the earth and in the sky between dusk and dawn. Planets and moths are hidden in daylight, and my work features moths and the interpretation of their seldom-seen beauty.
I incorporate many techniques to create my abstract artworks which have aspects and colouring from the moths that I see in my back garden. I blend fibres to create the depth and clarity of colour I want. Layers made from different fibres to create tension and texture made from weavings and stitching are all felted together. I enjoy the surprises that come from working in this way.
On coming to RSPB Leighton Moss I first felt bewildered and then privileged at the intersection of human managed wetlands and the protected birds, seen through structured viewpoints.
Established in 2007, ArtyBird Carnforth is a recognised Centre for Excellence in the delivery of Creative Textile & Art education.
“We champion self belief to take artistry beyond the possible.”
It is the fusion of strong design and craft skills that creates individual makers, and we invite you to work within a dedicated, well equipped teaching centre led by knowledgeable and inspiring tutors.
Come and be part of a community of textile artists, which is flexible to individual needs.
Quotes from some of their Students…
“Although I had done a couple of wet felting workshops previously, I realise how little I knew.”
“As excellent as always – try keeping me away!”
“This course has opened up a whole new side of creativeness for me. It MORE than exceeded my expectations as I had no idea what to expect.”
“The course has been delivered excellently. The teachers are of the highest standard. It is difficult to say if there could be an improvement.”
“It’s been a fabulous course; I’ve learned heaps and gained confidence and self-belief.”
“Wonderful atmosphere, lovely relaxed. The knowledge of the teachers is exceptional.”
“Really enjoyed every day spent here – education, new skills, discussion, information, mixing with talented people, sharing knowledge and ideas. Thanks!”
— Quotes from our participants. taken from Participant Survey 2018-2019
