A WOVEN SANCTUARY
One of our favourite textile artists, the UK-based weaver Ptolemy Mann, has just completed an exciting new collaboration with the arts and health consultants Willis Newson to create a beautiful, innovative and transformable artwork installation for Bristol Royal Infirmary’s new Sanctuary space.
Known in the textile industry for marrying hand-dyeing and hand-weaving techniques with sleek, architectural and geometric designs, Ptolemy has been creating wall hangings and prints for public and private clients since opening her studio 20 years ago. For much of her work she uses Ikat; an ancient weaving technique which involves hand-dying fine cotton yarn to create delicately gradated coloured warp threads.
[caption id="attachment_26660" align="alignnone" width="600"]
The Sanctuary at Bristol Royal Infirmary, with artwork by weaver Ptolemy Mann, artwork and interiors strategy by arts and health agency Willis Newson[/caption]
This traditional technique enables her to bring bold linear blocks of colour together with more delicate areas that gently merge and blend to create her signature style. Alongside traditional craft influences, Ptolemy references modernism, abstract expressionist painting and light installation artists such as James Turrell.
[caption id="attachment_26657" align="alignnone" width="600"]
The Sanctuary at Bristol Royal Infirmary, with artwork by weaver Ptolemy Mann, artwork and interiors strategy by arts and health agency Willis Newson[/caption]
Also working as an architectural colour consultant, Ptolemy has brought her artistic skills and knowledge of colour theory to bear on this project, which presented several complex challenges, as the sanctuary area has to sensitively balance the needs of different groups, communities and faiths, as well as the diverse needs of visitors, staff and patients. There is a special relationship between textiles and wellbeing, one that will be explored in depth at the Selvedge Craft Spa this May.
To find out more about the Craft Spa go to; http://www.selvedge.org/events/may-5-selvedge-craft-spa-london-uk/
www.ptolemymann.com
Known in the textile industry for marrying hand-dyeing and hand-weaving techniques with sleek, architectural and geometric designs, Ptolemy has been creating wall hangings and prints for public and private clients since opening her studio 20 years ago. For much of her work she uses Ikat; an ancient weaving technique which involves hand-dying fine cotton yarn to create delicately gradated coloured warp threads.
[caption id="attachment_26660" align="alignnone" width="600"] The Sanctuary at Bristol Royal Infirmary, with artwork by weaver Ptolemy Mann, artwork and interiors strategy by arts and health agency Willis Newson[/caption]
This traditional technique enables her to bring bold linear blocks of colour together with more delicate areas that gently merge and blend to create her signature style. Alongside traditional craft influences, Ptolemy references modernism, abstract expressionist painting and light installation artists such as James Turrell.
[caption id="attachment_26657" align="alignnone" width="600"] The Sanctuary at Bristol Royal Infirmary, with artwork by weaver Ptolemy Mann, artwork and interiors strategy by arts and health agency Willis Newson[/caption]
Also working as an architectural colour consultant, Ptolemy has brought her artistic skills and knowledge of colour theory to bear on this project, which presented several complex challenges, as the sanctuary area has to sensitively balance the needs of different groups, communities and faiths, as well as the diverse needs of visitors, staff and patients. There is a special relationship between textiles and wellbeing, one that will be explored in depth at the Selvedge Craft Spa this May.
To find out more about the Craft Spa go to; http://www.selvedge.org/events/may-5-selvedge-craft-spa-london-uk/
www.ptolemymann.com
1 comment
A lovely magazine