Craft & Design Awards
Polly Leonard judged the textiles & needlecrafts category at this year's craft and design awards. Run by Craft & Design magazine, the awards were established in 2009. With prizes valued at more than £25,000 in total, these annual awards are recognised as some of the most important in the industry for acknowledging excellence and skill in craft and design and promoting the work of professional designer makers in Britain and Ireland.
This year's Gold award for textiles and needleworks went to Donna Cheshire. "Donna has had a long and diverse career encompassing teaching, exhibiting and community projects - the most recent My Journey a triptych commissioned by Heaton Baptist Church to connect the different groups using the space. Donna worked with members of the church to dye a palette of fabrics, which she then used to create the appliqued triptych for the community to enjoy."
"I am particularly drawn to Donna’s work because of the energy and enthusiasm she communicates. Strong draftsmanship and a command of the sewing machine allow Donna to draw with thread and fabric and create a personal universe. Her mastery of technique and confident use of colour allow her to slip effortlessly between two and three dimensions. Her work has a readily identifiable fingerprint, yet translates well into a wide range of community projects and workshops leading to a sound business model. Donna uses her craft to connect people and places in a positive life affirming way." – Polly Leonard.
The Silver award went to the milliner Sally Harper-Kenn and weaver Fleur Andreas. And the lace maker Louisa West, Moy Mackey – a painter with fleece and felter Sarah Waters were this year's finalists.
www.craftanddesign.net
This year's Gold award for textiles and needleworks went to Donna Cheshire. "Donna has had a long and diverse career encompassing teaching, exhibiting and community projects - the most recent My Journey a triptych commissioned by Heaton Baptist Church to connect the different groups using the space. Donna worked with members of the church to dye a palette of fabrics, which she then used to create the appliqued triptych for the community to enjoy."
"I am particularly drawn to Donna’s work because of the energy and enthusiasm she communicates. Strong draftsmanship and a command of the sewing machine allow Donna to draw with thread and fabric and create a personal universe. Her mastery of technique and confident use of colour allow her to slip effortlessly between two and three dimensions. Her work has a readily identifiable fingerprint, yet translates well into a wide range of community projects and workshops leading to a sound business model. Donna uses her craft to connect people and places in a positive life affirming way." – Polly Leonard.
The Silver award went to the milliner Sally Harper-Kenn and weaver Fleur Andreas. And the lace maker Louisa West, Moy Mackey – a painter with fleece and felter Sarah Waters were this year's finalists.
www.craftanddesign.net