Santa Ana, Corinna Sargood. Photo credit: Dan Hopkins.

From 23^rd November, Black Swan Arts (BSA) in Frome, UK, will be showing an exhibition of the work of Corinna Sargood. ‘Pictures & Dioramas’ is a collection of multi-layered, painted wood dioramas, dense embroideries, prints and artist’s books.

Although well known as an illustrator, this exhibition is a rare insight into some of the personal and never before publicly displayed work of a fascinating life and talent. Corinna’s work explores her life in Mexico, Peru, and the dark world of fairy tale. The show premiers a set of brand new embroideries based on tales from the Old Testament and a totally embroidered puppet theatre that tells the history of the conquest of Mexico.

The Creation, Corinna Sargood. Photo credit: Dan Hopkins.

Born in London in 1941, Corinna is best known for her work with feminist writer Angela Carter. A life long friend, she worked with Carter intensively on image-centered adaptations of her work: Sargood illustrated the two Virago books of fairy tales edited by Carter (the Virago Book of Fairytales and Strange Things Sometimes Still Happen: Fairy Tales from Around the World); and painted pictures for the film The Magic Toyshop, adapted from Carter's 1967 novel. In the exhibition, Corinna is showing some special hand printed and bound copies of Carter’s The Tiger’s Bride and has made a family friendly colouring book for the show all about the uses of Mexican cacti.

The exhibition includes densely embroidered work and a number of dioramas, some with moving parts. The wood work is made by Corinna’s husband, Richard Wallace.

Alongside the show will be a children’s day, live demonstrations and a diorama workshop.

For more information and to book, visit www.blackswanarts.org.uk