Exhibitions at the Knitting & Stitching Show |
It seemed to me that there were fewer exhibitions at this year's Show but that the ones that were there were exceptionally high quality. Imaging bringing together the likes of Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn, Diane Bates and Ruth Issett - and that's just the first three exhibitions. Carol Naylor's work continues to delight. Her landscape marks were a little less abstract than usual but I felt they conveyed the depth and meaning just as well for being slightly more recognisable. When visiting her gallery, it felt as though the sun was coming out - such lovely colours.  Fields Unfolding |
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We always expect a big 'oooh' from Jan and Jean and we got it in spades. This was a breathtaking exhibition which gave an initial thrill of excitement and didn't disappoint when the work was viewed on an individual level. Although very individual in style, their pieces work so well together. The inspiration, places they had both visited, gave a greater sense of their separate work as each portrayed a different aspect. It was thought provoking and I'm sure we all carried the images away in our minds and imaginations. Right: In Fragile Footsteps: Chinatown, Jean Littlejohn Below: In Unison 1 & 2, Jan Beaney |
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Think Ruth Issett and you think Colour. Her exhibition, 'Connected with Colour', was well named. The connections were there in the variety of media and the relationship of the large pieces to each other. The colour was certainly there and those who are used to seeing Ruth wielding the Markal sticks oon the Art Van Go stand were delighted to have the chance to talk to her about her work.  |
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Diane Bates was showing a retrospective of work from her 'Painted Lady' collection. This gallery, with its black walls, was like a treasure cave with the incredible metallic gleams from the garments. It was a wonderful atmosphere. I wish I could have captured some of the drawings which I enjoy as much as the stitched pieces. I can remember when Diane first started work on this collection and I wrote an article about it for 'Embroidery'. It has grown so much since then and encompasses many more themes. Truly breathtaking.  |
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I don't always see the point of Art Cloth. It always seems to me that it is waiting to be made into something. But the exhibition at this year's Show could well convince me otherwise. Some big names were here, including Jane Dunnewold (see below) who started the whole thing off. All the work was lovely but Jane's was especially relevant with its title 'Wartine Prayer for the Children and the Flowers'. Dyed using the flag fold method of patterning, which Jane uses as a protest against the Iraq war. It was based on a piece of writing from 'Starhawk'. Stark and evocative, it did make the viewer think.  |
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The Graduate Showcase The Graduate Showcase was one of the best for years and I could happily have shown photos of the work of any of the graduates. I whittled it down to Jackie Langfeld whose other-worldly armour, made from cardboard and string, was so striking (hoping to sign her up for a workshop), and Jessica Slater whose piece, 'Stream of Consciousness' (detail below) was fantastic. Anita Bruce's work with water-soluble fabric was also outstanding.  |
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I said I didn't think there were as many exhibitions but I haven't even mentioned the joys of Barbara Hirst, the Westhope Group or the Schiffli project. So I take it all back and say it was big, it was booming, it was beautiful. |
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