My friend, Margaret, and I had a most enjoyable day at Rheged, near Penrith today. We went to see the 'Thread' Exhibition, which is on until the end of June 2019.
The gallery is at the top of the building, reached by a hair-raising, glass-sided walkway. Here are a small number of the artworks that we saw today. Please bear in mind that some are behind glass, and all are displayed in dim lighting. Click on any picture to see a larger version.
This artist used highly textured embroidery and embellishment. The embroidery is carried out using an Irish sewing machine (see here for a video of one in action), which enables her to create large artworks. Her work is concentrated on figurative pieces with a contemporary feel.
Megan Ivy Griffiths, Come Fly (cotton, embroidery silks, cotton threads) £200
Charming, small human and animal figures, presented in hand painted box frames. These were so adorable, and featured many decorative embroidery stitches in a tiny space. They had a Native American or South American style to them. Some had pressed flowers in the frame with them.
Vera Shimunia, Promise of Success (needle painting) NFS
This artist also works on a small scale, with amazing detail. There was a row of these small hoop frames, filled with miniature art. Each had a feeling of movement to rival the Impressionists', but with even more texture: some had puffy clouds that extended a centimetre or more from the canvas. The colour palette, stitch direction and feeling of perspective in the pieces was admirable.
Pat Taylor, Fotofit (tapestry, cotton warp, worsted weft) NFS
A beautiful, large tapestry with interesting colours used on the face, giving it the look of an old film still. This would look great on my living room wall!
Helen O'Shea, Elaboration in Red (reused plastic shopping bags and threads) £850
This artist had three sculptural objects on display, using discarded plastic bags transformed into something delightful and precious, with layers of colourful stitch. Other pieces on her website show what looks like salvaged plastic from the sea, made into interesting shapes that echo marine creatures.
Her work reminded me of Josh Blackwell's (an artist I had researched for the textiles course I took a few years back).
Abigail Booth, Iron Sign (oxidised iron, wood tannins, thread on cotton calico) £3,250
One half of the duo that make up Forest + Found, this artist uses simple colour palettes of hand dyed fabrics, with hand stitch. This piece, to me, looked like part of a wooden fence or signpost. I like the graphic quality and calm simplicity of the artwork.
Philip Sanderson, Wind Blown Tree, (rag rug) NFS
This was one of my favourite pieces because of the subject matter and method of construction. I also liked the irregular shape of the artwork, which enhanced the wind-blown nature of the tree, and evoked memories of blustery days by the coast.
Laura Lees, Embroidered Jeans (denim, embroidery) NFS
Joyful, wearable art that is a riot of colour and cartoon-like images. The artist also makes embroidered furniture, such as piano stools and chairs.
And my final selection from a large and varied display, is a typically humorous piece from the late, lamented Louise Bourgeois
Louise Bourgeois, I Have Been To Hell And Back Handkerchief (embroidery on 100% cotton handkerchief, with silkscreen, courtesy of Donna Stokes) NFS
Rheged has cafés, and lovely shops to browse, too. I bought some fat quarters of fabric in the exhibition shop to incorporate into my ongoing and planned projects, but there are also art supplies on offer; clothing; toiletries and cosmetics; cards; children's toys and books; and everything 'woolly' - cushions, bags, wool fabrics by the square or by the meter, yarn, ornaments, brooches and more. The exhibition is on until 30 June 2019, and is well worth a visit for those who enjoy contemporary textile art.
The gallery is at the top of the building, reached by a hair-raising, glass-sided walkway. Here are a small number of the artworks that we saw today. Please bear in mind that some are behind glass, and all are displayed in dim lighting. Click on any picture to see a larger version.
Rhiannon Williams, Tyger Tyger (embroidery, beading and appliqué on mixed material) NFS
This artist used highly textured embroidery and embellishment. The embroidery is carried out using an Irish sewing machine (see here for a video of one in action), which enables her to create large artworks. Her work is concentrated on figurative pieces with a contemporary feel.
Charming, small human and animal figures, presented in hand painted box frames. These were so adorable, and featured many decorative embroidery stitches in a tiny space. They had a Native American or South American style to them. Some had pressed flowers in the frame with them.
A beautiful, large tapestry with interesting colours used on the face, giving it the look of an old film still. This would look great on my living room wall!
This artist had three sculptural objects on display, using discarded plastic bags transformed into something delightful and precious, with layers of colourful stitch. Other pieces on her website show what looks like salvaged plastic from the sea, made into interesting shapes that echo marine creatures.
Her work reminded me of Josh Blackwell's (an artist I had researched for the textiles course I took a few years back).
One half of the duo that make up Forest + Found, this artist uses simple colour palettes of hand dyed fabrics, with hand stitch. This piece, to me, looked like part of a wooden fence or signpost. I like the graphic quality and calm simplicity of the artwork.
Philip Sanderson, Wind Blown Tree, (rag rug) NFS
This was one of my favourite pieces because of the subject matter and method of construction. I also liked the irregular shape of the artwork, which enhanced the wind-blown nature of the tree, and evoked memories of blustery days by the coast.
Joyful, wearable art that is a riot of colour and cartoon-like images. The artist also makes embroidered furniture, such as piano stools and chairs.
Louise Bourgeois, I Have Been To Hell And Back Handkerchief (embroidery on 100% cotton handkerchief, with silkscreen, courtesy of Donna Stokes) NFS
Another artist that I studied on my textiles course, and what an inspirational person, who lived her life through her art and made so many iconic artworks.
Rheged has cafés, and lovely shops to browse, too. I bought some fat quarters of fabric in the exhibition shop to incorporate into my ongoing and planned projects, but there are also art supplies on offer; clothing; toiletries and cosmetics; cards; children's toys and books; and everything 'woolly' - cushions, bags, wool fabrics by the square or by the meter, yarn, ornaments, brooches and more. The exhibition is on until 30 June 2019, and is well worth a visit for those who enjoy contemporary textile art.
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