Here I am again but this time to tell you about our current exhibition Marking Our Way at the Broadway Gallery, Letchworth which runs until 31 July.

During the pandemic and lockdowns myself and three other textile artists, Janet Edmonds, Marian Hall and Janet Pullen, met on line to encourage each other creatively.  Inspired by creativity coach Rod Judkins, we each considered how we would design the cover of a fictional biography; the seeds of a project were sown.  As ideas for the book covers evolved and crystallised, we started researching other artists who created autobiographical work with which some personal connection was felt.

 My book cover reflects My Textile Journey until now

I was brought up near St Ives and, although living elsewhere, have remained closely associated with the area.  In my view, all creative work is in a sense autobiographical as unless one relates to an area it is difficult to feel connected.  This led to our own autobiographical work.  I chose the work of Wilhelmina Barns-Graham in particular her and her understanding of the forces and layers that give the depth to natural forms.  In pieces like Eight Lines, Porthmeor the essence of the rolling waves is captured.

My response to this Tidelines reflects the natural lines made by the sea as it washes over the sand leaving elements deposited by the sea as it retreats.  It is a digital print from my photograph taken in the early morning.  I have extensively stitched the image although my choice of threads is very subtle and not obvious.

 Tidelines

A second piece, I made from a photograph of deposits left by the sea on a different day, can be considered as Tidelines II or as hung a range of hills.  It is up to the viewer what it represents to them, hence is Untitled.

 Untitled

Spending more time at home was an opportunity to take stock we were able to address the questions: Who am I?  What do I do?  What do I like?  Why do I like them? and How do I work?

My own autobiographical work again reflected the part of St Ives Bay where I grew up.  I always take a lot of photographs during my early morning walk sometimes with magical results.  Early Morning on Porth Kidney was a beautiful sunrise in the autumn.  It is a small quilt that is made of raw edge appliqué pieces and felt which has been machine quilted.

 Early Morning on Porth Kidney

Another early morning photograph of the tidal estuary near Porth Kidney led to my own autobiographical work.

The photograph was manipulated and had paper cords applied and then the resulting image was digitally printed onto fabric.  The resulting fabric was quilted and hand stitched to create A Spectra of Reflections.

 A Spectra of Reflections

Although we did not set out to write a book, the act of writing helped to clarify thoughts and to share ideas amongst ourselves.  The book can be viewed on line via https://www.marianhallart.com/marking-our-way.

Textile work makes use of the head, heart, and hands.  Through this process I have had to think hard about the way I work and what has led me to my work.  I am someone who likes order but enjoys randomness and a degree of serendipity.  Perhaps that is why I like abstracting bits of photographs in paper lamination through an image on a screen to create a pattern on the cloth.  Probably I really like ordered chaos that reaches a point of resolution.

This is perhaps a little late but, if you have found this blog interesting, you can meet the artists at the gallery this Saturday (23 July) between 14.00 and 16.00.  Hope I might see some of you there.