Contemporary Textiles at New Ashgate Gallery
Guest Blog Post by Alison Woodley
The New Ashgate Gallery has held a winter exhibition of contemporary textiles for the last 6 years, profiling the wide variety of techniques and mediums that can be placed within this broad category.
Each year makers are chosen for their ability to combine techniques, often traditional, with new ideas or cutting edge materials. Fusing outstanding craftsmanship with an eye for the current craft market, makers have impressed with their designs for decorative, wearable, collectible products.
This year the New Ashgate presents work by 9 makers all perfectly balancing the important visual elements of pattern, colour and design with the physical and tactile nature of textiles. Michelle House brings dynamic colour with printed canvases inspired by shapes and patterns found in her city environment. The timeless simplicity and functionality of Maiko Dawson’s leather bags and purses make them a pleasure to use.
This year there is an emphasis on embroidery with abstract work by Mathew Harris exploring repetition through mark making, cutting and hand embroidery, and the intricate 3D stitched entomological collections of Claire Moynihan.
Jacky Puzey transports visitors into a world of ‘embellished creatures’ with her highly decorated digital embroideries. Her work looks at urban culture, which often include escaped animals, outside of their natural environments. Exhibiting one large panel at New Ashgate, the piece gives an idea of what can be achieved with this relatively new process. It embodies the notion of combining traditional crafts with new technologies, employing the use of computerised machinery and laser cutting. Originally a fine art graduate Jacky went on to create costumes with Notting Hill carnival, later completing a course in costume and pattern cutting. Specialising in creative commissions and projects for interiors, fashion and bespoke tailoring, Jacky has recently taken part in Hothouse 6, the Crafts Council’s mentoring scheme of which New Ashgate is a partner.
Contemporary Textiles at New Ashgate Gallery is open 12 November 2016 - 7 January 2017
Tuesday - Saturday 10 - 5, see website for additional Christmas opening hours
www.newashgate.org.uk
Image captions:
This year the New Ashgate presents work by 9 makers all perfectly balancing the important visual elements of pattern, colour and design with the physical and tactile nature of textiles. Michelle House brings dynamic colour with printed canvases inspired by shapes and patterns found in her city environment. The timeless simplicity and functionality of Maiko Dawson’s leather bags and purses make them a pleasure to use.
This year there is an emphasis on embroidery with abstract work by Mathew Harris exploring repetition through mark making, cutting and hand embroidery, and the intricate 3D stitched entomological collections of Claire Moynihan.
Jacky Puzey transports visitors into a world of ‘embellished creatures’ with her highly decorated digital embroideries. Her work looks at urban culture, which often include escaped animals, outside of their natural environments. Exhibiting one large panel at New Ashgate, the piece gives an idea of what can be achieved with this relatively new process. It embodies the notion of combining traditional crafts with new technologies, employing the use of computerised machinery and laser cutting. Originally a fine art graduate Jacky went on to create costumes with Notting Hill carnival, later completing a course in costume and pattern cutting. Specialising in creative commissions and projects for interiors, fashion and bespoke tailoring, Jacky has recently taken part in Hothouse 6, the Crafts Council’s mentoring scheme of which New Ashgate is a partner.
Contemporary Textiles at New Ashgate Gallery is open 12 November 2016 - 7 January 2017
Tuesday - Saturday 10 - 5, see website for additional Christmas opening hours
www.newashgate.org.uk
Image captions:
- Claire Moynihan,Bug Balls XXII, 2014
- Maiko Dawson Market tote & Tablet purse, leather
- Michelle House, Winter Landscape hanging, 2014 Photo: Yeshen Venema
- Jacky Puzey Hare screen detail Photo Jo Hounsome
1 comment
May I just thank you for creating and producing Selvedge Magazine. I first discovered it at Chateau Dumas in August 2015. I live in California and having recently rediscovered my love of textiles and the importance of creativity in my life, your magazine is one way I feel connected to and inspired by what else is going on in the world. Among other things, the calendar is great! Keep up the great work!