Resonant Colour, Llantarnam Grange, Cwmbran

Thought I would share with you some photographs of my latest curation project, Resonant Colour at Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran. The exhibition opened to much enthusiasm (and not just mine!) last month, and continues until the 7th May, so you've still got plenty of time to catch it.

I was honoured to be able to select some of my favourite applied artists to exhibit alongside me: Kate Blee, Nicholas Rena, Sara Moorhouse, Ann Sutton and Heike Brachlow. Many thanks once again to Hannah and Hywel at Llantarnam Grange for giving me this amazing opportunity.

And there is a LOVELY catalogue to accompany the show with photography by the amazing Toril Brancher and wonderful graphic design by Icon Creative Design.

'Welsh Step' handwoven double cloth blanket by me

'Welsh Step' handwoven double cloth blanket by me



Painted warp, cotton and monofilament by me



Galery shot. Ceramics by Nicholas Rena, handwoven blanket on wall by me



Resin sculptures by me, painted neckpiece/wall piece by Ann Sutton



Gallery shot



Ceramics in foreground by Nicholas Rena, three ceramic bowls on shelves by Sara Moorhouse, textile on wall by me



Gallery shot

 

Wall panels by me, ceramics by Nicholas Rena



'Red Road' cotton and copper by me

 

Paint brooches by Ann Sutton



Painted warp (annoying glass reflection) by me



Gallery shot, resin sculptures by me, 'paint in space'  on right by Ann Sutton



Ann Sutton

 

Various resin sculptures by me

 

Ann Sutton



Foyer Gallery




Sara Moorhouse



Nicholas Rena



Sara Moorhouse



Kate Blee



Nicholas Rena



Heike Brachlow



Heike Brachlow



The words that explain it all....

Resonant Colour, Llantarnam Grange, Cwmbran 19th March - 7th May 2011

Some images from my latest curation project......


Loose Threads: from black to pink, Laura Thomas
Photo: Toril Brancher



Painted warp detail of sample, Laura Thomas
Photo: Toril Brancher



Nicholas Rena
Photo: Toril Brancher



Ann Sutton
Photo: Toril Brancher



Heike Brachlow
Photo: Toril Brancher

 

Kate Blee
Photo: Toril Brancher



Sara Moorhouse
Photo: Toril Brancher

This exhibition entitled 'Resonant Colour' is the first of a series of 'Makers to Curators' exhibitions instigated  by Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre in Cwmbran, generously supported by the Arts Council of Wales.

Alongside my work, I have had the great pleasure of selecting work from five makers whom I admire greatly. It goes without saying that this was another dream project to select work that I find hypnotically beautiful and intellectually stimulating..... many thanks to Nicholas Rena, Heike Brachlow, Sara Moorhouse, Ann Sutton and Kate Blee for kindly agreeing to be part of this exhibition.

The connecting thread is the use of colour. It is often assumed that applied artists are primarily concerned with the making process and practical function of their work, over and above conceptual and intellectual endeavours. However, here all the exhibited work sees these factors on equal footing. Colour is not a mere decorative afterthought, but is fundamental: it is at the core.

There is an accompanying publication with wonderful essays by Royden Hunt and Sara Moorhouse. Photographs are by Toril Brancher and design by Icon Creative Design. Thank you too to the wonderful team at Llantarnam Grange for this opportunity and their support.

The exhibition opening is on the 18th March, 5 - 8.30pm - please do come along if you're in the area. Hope to see you there!

Latest news....

Just thought I’d let you know about some forthcoming events and other bits of news.

Firstly, you can find me from this Friday to Sunday at Wales’ first major contemporary craft fair: Made by Hand at Tredegar House in Newport. I’ll be exhibiting my Resonate sculptures and a number of framed ‘Jacquard Sketches’. I will also have a small table loom on the stand so you can get a glimpse of the weaving process. My stand number is P66 which is in the Pavilion. The opening hours are as follows:

Friday 11-7pm
Saturday 10-5pm
Sunday 10-5pm

Adult Day Ticket £5
Accompanied children under 14 FREE
Concessions (aged 15-18, students, unwaged & OAPS) £4
Family Day Ticket (2 Adults & 2 Children aged 15-18) £15
3 Day Weekend Ticket £9/£7 concession.

This Saturday, a major exhibition of Anni Albers work opens at Ruthin Craft Centre. For those of you that are unfamiliar with her, Albers was one of the most influential weave designers and artists of the last century. A graduate of the famous Bauhaus, this is a rare treat to see some of her graphic pattern design and woven samples in the UK, thanks to The Josef and Anni Albers Foundation in the USA. Alongside this exhibition, there is a complimentary show entitled Inspired By: The Legacy of Anni Albers, which I am honoured to have two significant new pieces of work in. Ruthin Craft Centre is open 7 days a week and entry is free. The show continues to the 6th Feb 2011.

Alongside these events I have been busy finalising the design for the Museumaker commission to create a triptych window for The Beaney Museum and Art Gallery in Canterbury. The Museum is currently closed for renovation and for the building of an exciting new extension designed by SidellGibson Architects The commission will see the translation of my characteristic Loose Threads resin sculptures into laminated glass. Pictures of the final design and making process will soon be published on my blog: www.laurathomaswoventextiles.blogspot.com (please subscribe!)

The warp+weft exhibition I curated for Oriel Myrddin will be touring to Craft in the Bay, Cardiff in the New Year. It will be open to the public from: 7th January – 20th February. I will be giving a free gallery talk at 2pm on the 22nd January. To compliment the exhibition there will be a number of weave workshops and talks from other practitioners. Please visit the Craft in the Bay website for further details. The exhibition will then tour along with the warp+weft: from handloom to production exhibition (currently on at the National Wool Museum until the 8th Jan 2011) to Smith’s Row in Bury St Edmund's, who will also be planning a series of complimentary events. The exhibition will be open to the public from 12th March – 30th April.

I am also busily planning for my next curation project for Llantarnam Grange. The exhibition will feature a new body of work from myself, alongside the work of 5 artist-makers that I have selected. The exhibition is entitled ‘Resonant Colour’ with the connecting thread between the makers and their work being an inherent vibrant and intelligent approach to colour. I am delighted that Sara Moorhouse, Ann Sutton, Nicholas Rena, Heike Brachlow and Kate Blee have all agreed to contribute work. The exhibition will also have publication featuring essays from Sara Moorhouse and Dr Royden Hunt. The exhibition will be open to the public from 19.03.11 - 07.05.11.

Lastly, I shall be moving to a new studio at Model House Craft and Design Centre in Llantrisant, just outside of Cardiff in the New Year. The move-in date has yet to be confirmed, but I shall keep you posted! The Centre has a lovely shop and gallery space downstairs, with around 20 studios upstairs which is open to visitors to have a look around.