Last month we wrote about Bamford’s summer competition: From Land to Craft: A collection inspired by the Daylesford Estate. The competition called for artists to submit works that incorporated natural materials and reflected the beauty of the local surroundings. Now we are pleased to say that the winner has been announced: textile artist Ellie Williams. Ellie’s designs feature natural dyes made from plants and berries, which are used to hand-dye linen using shibori techniques. The judges were impressed by her consideration of the Bamford ethos of sustainability and respect for the environment, as well as an aesthetic that was clearly inspired by the local landscape. “The judging was unanimous,” said Carole Bamford, founder of Bamford and Daylesford.
Ellie will be the new artist-in-residence for the Daylesford estate, between 26 June – 21 July and 21 – 31 August. She will also be exhibiting her hand-dyed linen in the Bamford Barn at the Harvest festival in September, where they will be available to purchase.
Ellie has previously exhibited her work in London, and her fabric has been used in a window display for Browns fashion technique. Her textiles put a contemporary spin onto the ancient Japanese Shibori technique, following an exciting trend in current textiles design to incorporate new technologies and innovative design with a respect for the traditional.