warp+weft: from handloom to production, The National Wool Musuem, Drefach Felindre, Carmarthenshire

Being a little bit of a glutton for punishment..... no..... full of enthusiasm for celebrating what's happening in the world of weaving, I decided that I wanted to have a second concurrent exhibition running alongside warp+weft at Oriel Myrddin.  I approached the National Wool Museum with the idea of putting together a show celebrating the achievements of eight weave designers who've developed their practice by working with mills to put their designs into batch production, and I was delighted that the Museum loved the idea.

This is the first time that the Museum has given over a space in the building to a contemporary, temporary exhibition, so there was lots that needed to be considered for the first time.  I was also very keen that the show should have a publication to accompany it and was thrilled that The Worshipful Company of Weavers were able to support this element of the project.

The concept behind this exhibition was to show the initial hand woven samples that the designers produce when developing their ideas, colour palettes, and structural choices, alongside the finished mill woven products.  I wanted to give an insight into the development and refinement element of the design process that many designers go through.  For some the changes made are significant, for others barely noticeable to the untrained eye.  I also wanted to shine a light on this niche area of manufacturing that the British mills are so good at serving.

The designers in this exhibition are:

Donna Wilson for SCP
Eleanor Pritchard
Wallace + Sewell
Fran White, The Linen Shop
Dashing Tweeds
Margo Selby
Tim Parry Williams
Cefyn Burgess

Please do go and see the exhibition, which is on until 8th January 2011. 

Donna Wilson designed Nos Da fabric on the Eadie chair for SCP

Donna Wilson for SCP

Tim Parry Williams fabrics

Tim Parry Williams fabrics made into garments by other fashion designers

Wallace + Sewell

Wallace + Sewell

Wallace + Sewell handwoven samples

Light reflective jackets by Dashing Tweeds

Margo Selby

Fran White, The Linen Shop

Fran White's sketchbook and hand woven samples

Eleanor Pritchard

Cefyn Burgess

Mastercrafts, Friday 12th March, 9pm, BBC2

Sorry for the extended silence on this blog..... just been too busy! Hopefully over the next week or so I'll have a bit of a flurry of blogging to update you on all that's going on for me at the moment.

But to begin, for those of you in the UK, do watch this Fridays episode of Mastercrafts on
BBC2 at 9pm.... dedicated to weaving. The lovely Margo Selby is the master crafts person leading the novices through their introduction to weaving. (Am guessing that those outside of the UK may be able to watch it after its aired on the BBC iplayer service?)

A series such as this looking at craftsmanship in a serious way is long overdue. I've really enjoyed the previous episodes and as a result have developed something of a need to go exploring green wood and blacksmithing!

Margo did come to interview me with her novices at the beginning of filming last October in Origin and apparently a snippet of me has made the programme. Am more than a little worried as I'm neither photogenic or comfortable on camera so I'll be watching that bit through my fingers!

Anyway, just make sure you bookmark it!

Can't wait!

Forthcoming exhibitions and events

I delighted to report that Brown Grotta Arts is now representing me in the USA. I have just sent them a selection of recent 'Loose Threads' sculptures which this week will be exhibited at the prestigious SOFA Chicago (Sculpture, Objects and Functional Art). Please visit the Brown Grotta website to see my work.

Last moth PARKart represented me at The Affordable Art in London, and I was thrilled that sales were buoyant and my work well received. This weekend (8-9 November) they are hosting 'Art in Action' a special weekend of promotional events in Selfridges were they also exhibit some of my work. Please visit the fourth floor of Selridges, where you'll be able to see:

• Celebrity Snapping by Tony Briggs
• Restoration by Alison Gunter
• Graffiti by Tom Lewis

The 14th of November sees the opening of the Craft in the Bay Christmas exhibition in Cardiff Bay where I will be showing some brand new jacquard woven artworks. This exhibition continues until the 10th of January 2009.

From the 4th December - 5th February 2009, you will be able to see a selection of my 'Resonate' work showcased in the Newport City Art Gallery

And finally don't forget that my work can also be found in the Ruthin Craft Centre, North Wales; the Margo Selby shop, London; an the Inspires Art Gallery in Oxford.