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

warp+weft, Oriel Myrddin Gallery, Carmarthen

It's been nearly 2 years since I first started talking to Meg Anthony, the curator at Oriel Myrddin Gallery about warp+weft, an exhibition celebrating contemporary woven textiles.  Two years ago, September 2010, seemed like light years away...... well it soon came around!

The last couple of months have been an absolute hive of activity - I now have a much better appreciation of the background work that goes into curating an exhibition!  The catalogue itself was a huge amount of work, and I don't think I have ever laboured so much over my words.  The photography sessions with Toril Brancher were fantastic and even though it was agonising making some of the graphic design decisions such as what to put on the cover, I hugely enjoyed working with Heidi Baker, our wonderful catalogue designer. With Meg, I think we made a formidable team.

You may have read on my earlier posts that the connecting thread for the exhibition was that all the selected weave artists and designers take a decidedly unexpected approach to weaving. Ainsley Hillard incorporates a transfer print process to integrate ghostly images; Ismini Samanidou is collaborating with Gary Allson to make CNC drawings and milled wood surfaces deriving from her hand woven samples; and Priti Vega works with fibre optics, magnets, light reflective yarns, amongst other intriguing materials to create her striking works.  The show also includes some icons from the world of weaving - Ann Sutton, Peter Collingwood and Reiko Sudo (NUNO) - inspirations for all interested in the construction of ingenious textiles.

Below are a few images from the exhibition.  There will be more to follow.  Please do try and visit the show which is on until the end of October.  Please also buy the very lovely catalogue..... a bargain at £12.50!

The catalogue with Ptolemy Mann's Monoliths on the cover



The private view on 10th Sept 2010. Photo: Kathryn Campbell Dodd.



Arc, by Laura Thomas. Photo: Kathryn Campbell Dodd.

Photo: Kathryn Campbell Dodd.



Photo: Kathryn Campbell Dodd.



Makeba Lewis. Photo: Toril Brancher.



Priti Vega. Photo: Toril Brancher



Ann Richards. Photo: Toril Brancher

Nuno. Photo: Toril Brancher

Sue Hiley Harris. Photo: Toril Brancher

Exhibitions at The National Botanic Garden of Wales, Carmarthenshire

Well, its been a busy few weeks.  Last weekend four textiles exhibitions and a symposium that I've been directly involved in either curating, coordinating or exhibiting in, opened in and around Carmarthenshire.  I'll do separate blog posts for each venue as I have lots of photos to share with you.

The first two shows to open were both at The National Botanic Garden of Wales.  In the gallery was '10 - ten years of textiles, ten years of growth' celebrating the achievements of graduates and staff from the BA Contemporary Textiles course at the West Wales School of the Arts, where I teach woven textiles.  The show was curated by Paula Philips Davies, the course leader.





I LOVE this large scale knitted artwork by Kelly Jenkins!

 In the grounds of the Gardens I coordinated a show for Fibre Art Wales, a group I've been a member of for about four years.  The exhibition is entitled 'Exposed: textiles in the open', which is the first time the group has created an exhibition for the outdoors.  We felt very privileged to be given free reign to create and place artworks anywhere within the grounds of he gardens.  For most of the group it was the first time we had to think about making work to with stand the elements.  We were also delighted that for the first time our patron Mary Lloyd Jones contributed a piece of work to the show.

Below are some images of my piece for the show entitled 'Vista'.  Cotton and silk threads have been laminated in glass, a development on the cast acrylic 'Resonate' sculptures I have been working on for several years.  Whilst acrylic is robust enough to withstand extreme weather, it is vulnerable to scratching, so for this kind of application I needed to translate the process into glass.  This is the first large scale piece I have made of this ilk and I'm really pleased with the results and it's great to see it in situ.  A huge thank you is due to Innovative Glass Products for their support in making this work.



And here are a couple of images of artworks by some of the other members of Fibre Art Wales members:

'Miss Willmott: a memoir' by Lisa Porch

'Through a Glass' by Ruth McLees

'The Ghosts of a Weed Garden' by Kathryn Campbell Dodd



Hope you manage to get to see the shows! 

‘Flourish: Continuing Professional Development for craftspeople’ at Craft in the Bay

I am coordinating a new series of Professional Development seminars and workshops for craft and design at Craft in the Bay, Cardiff.  There will be one event per month, with the first this September 17th. This programme has been possible with the suport of the Arts Council of Wales.

Below are details for the first four workshops.  Places are going quickly, so if you are interested in attending, please book very soon.


September 17th 2010 – the seed factory: germinating and cultivating new ideas, with Angela Gidden MBE


11am – 4.30pm

A workshop where we squeeze the fresh and the best commercial ideas out of the crazy ones!

the seed factory is where you Imagine, Discover, Define, Germinate, Cultivate and Yield fresh ideas; it’s about inspiring unlimited creative-thinking; it’s where we encourage you to un-tap unique seeds of ideas mixing the best ideas and ingredients into your creative business.

We want you to bring an empty box of your favourite cereal……& no revealing to anyone!

The Seed Factory is designed and created by attic 2, The Future-Thinking Creative Consultancy © 2010

An inspiring and thought provoking day to indulge in new ways of creative thinking. Want to push your practice into a new direction? Need a prompt to explore the ideas that you just haven’t found time for yet? Want to surprise yourself? Then this is the perfect workshop for you.

This is an amazing opportunity to attend a workshop with Angela Gidden. She is one of Wales' leading designers and is also owner and Director of two companies, attic 2 Design Studio and Nomad & Nest online eco-lifestyle brand, with UK and international clients including Liberty, The Conran Shop and Heals.

Amongst many accolades, Angela was the winner of Welsh Woman of the Year in 1997 and was awarded an MBE for services to business in 2007. She has established herself as a key advocate for the creative industries in the UK and in her work as an entrepreneur role model is committed to inspiring and motivating individuals, companies and organisations.

She is a passionate believer of the power of creative thinking in everyday life and is known for her dynamic and unique style of presentation that won’t fail to have you inspired.

What to bring: an empty box of your favourite cereal, a pen/pencil and an open mind!

Cost: £45 for non members, £40.50 for members and friends of the Makers Guild in Wales


October 23rd 2010 – Craft Photography with Toril Brancher


11am – 4.30pm

Are you aware that your photographs are not showing your work to its very best potential? Want to create more eye catching photographs to attract press coverage? Want to learn how to get the very best out of your digital camera?

This one day workshop with notable photographer Toril Brancher will begin with an analysis of what makes a successful photograph, what the common errors are and how to take striking photographs with minimal periphery equipment. This will lead into a practical photography session where you will apply the theory to photographing one of your craft objects.

Toril Brancher is an established documentary and craft photographer, as well as a regular photography tutor with Ffotogallery in Cardiff. Recent significant commissions in the craft sector include studio photographs for the Porcelain: Ritual and Process exhibition and catalogue photography for Warp + Weft, a major touring exhibition of contemporary woven textiles.

What to bring: your digital camera and connecting lead to view your images on a PC; a piece of your work that you’d like to photograph; notebook and pen.

Cost: £45 for non members, £40.50 for members and friends of the Makers Guild in Wales




8th November 2010 – Internet Strategy for Craftspeople with Pete Mosley


11am – 4.30pm

Want to learn how to take advantage of the internet to promote you and your business using no-cost or low-cost options? Are you somewhat bewildered by Twitter, Facebook, Blogging, RSS Feeds, Flickr, LinkedIn, etc? This workshop will demystify these topics in clear and accessible language, examining the various pros and cons, and how these online tools can be put into practice as part of your marketing strategy.


• Arts websites – the good, the bad and the ugly!

• The use of directory and ‘aggregator’ sites – how the ‘long tail’ works

• Blogging – and how Blogs and websites work together synergistically

• RSS (really simple syndication) & social bookmarking

• The use of Google Analytics to measure traffic

• Keyword testing techniques

• Getting visible on Google and other search engines.

• Facebook & Twitter

• Flickr & You Tube

• Email applications e.g. Constant Contact and MailChimp

• How to set up an email database and use it effectively

• A/B email testing, subject lines and CTA’s (calls to action)

• Email etiquette

Pete Mosley works exclusively with artists and arts organisations. His primary focus is providing bespoke coaching and mentoring to artists and makers, either face to face or through training sessions and seminars.


Pete is a strong advocate of the internet as a powerful tool for artists and makers to market their work using traditional media such as websites and email newsletters or through social media such as Facebook and Twitter.


Pete is also Business Editor for craft&design magazine, writing regular articles and features for the printed magazine, website and e-newsletters. He also maintains the magazine’s Facebook and Twitter presence and has grown the Twitter fanbase to over 1200 in the space of 3 months.


What to bring: a laptop, although it is fine to share one with another delegate. Pete will bring the workshop presentation on a CD which will be copied to everyone’s laptop. This will enable you to do elements of the workshop on your computer. If you don’t have a laptop, please still register your interest and hopefully we can pair you with another delegate. Also bring a pen and paper to make any further notes.

Cost: £45 for non members, £40.50 for members and friends of the Makers Guild in Wales



6th December 2010 – Press coverage for crafts with Angie Boyer, Editor of Craft & Design magazine and Nicola Wilkes, interior design journalist, Western Mail columnist and editor of Wales at Home.


11-1pm

This workshop is designed to give you an insight into what the press is looking for from craftspeople: how to generate press interest, the “dos and don’ts” of writing and sending out your press releases and the kind of photographs publications are looking for.

Angie Boyer is the founder and editor of craft & design magazine. She will be sharing the benefit of her experiences working with craftspeople for over 25 years and giving you an insight into how catch her eye for press coverage.

Nicola Wilkes is a respected interior design journalist, columnist for the Western Mail, editor of lifestyle magazine and directory, Wales at Home, and freelance PR consultant. She will present ‘The Infectious Effect: how to make the media work for you’ which will offer valuable tips and insights to creative crafts professionals on how get to market with the help of the media.

Cost: £20 for non members, £18 for members and friends of the Makers Guild in Wales



Coming next year:

• Writing skills: help and advice writing copy for your website, press releases, artists statements and CV’s

• Applying for and managing public art commissions

• Sales techniques

• Computer Aided Design

• Moving into retail: insights from various craftspeople who run galleries and shops alongside their craft practice

• Marketing and branding

• Teaching skills: an introduction to how to planning and running craft workshops; being a community artist or an artist in residence

• ..... and more!



To book, please phone Craft in the Bay on 02920 484 611

For queries please contact the programme coordinator, Laura Thomas, cpd@makersguildinwales.org.uk or on 02920 455 275

Show your support for the British wool industry

Received an email this morning from the Natural Fibre Company drawing my attention to a newly launched  campaign to 'get wool to the olympics'.  The NFU want to make sure that where possible any woolen products commissioned / bought for events surrounding the 2012 Olympics are made from British wool, from carpets to corporate gifts.  You can show your support by signing their online petition

There is much afoot at the moment promoting a return to supporting British wool, which has been no doubt been invigorated by the Campaign for Wool supported by Prince Charles.  The campaign was recently launched by HRH at the National Wool Museum here in Wales.  To find out more, follow these links: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10432169 and http://www.woolipedia.com/the-campaign-for-wool.html

Warp + Weft exhibitions and symposium...

The following is a press release for a series of exhibitions I am curating or coordinating.....

Ismini Samanidou (Photo: Toril Brancher 2010)

Makeba Lewis (Photo: Toril Brancher 2010)

Hiroko Takeda

Laura Thomas (Photo: Toril Brancher 2010)

Ann Sutton (Photo: Toril Brancher, 2010)

The Oriel Myrddin Gallery in Carmarthen is delighted to be presenting a long overdue exhibition of unexpected woven textiles by contemporary artists and designers who show a respect for tradition, yet are embracing new technology, aesthetics and making methods.

With generous support from The Laura Ashley Foundation, Warp + Weft will tell the story of contemporary weave in this oft overlooked field with a series of stunning works by the following artists and designers:

Ainsley Hillard
Ann Richards
Ann Sutton
Hiroko Takeda
Ismini Samanidou + Gary Allson
Kathy Schicker
Laura Thomas
Lucy McMullen
Makeba Lewis
Peter Collingwood
Priti Veja
Ptolemy Mann
Reiko Sudo (Nuno)
Sue Hiley Harris

Warp + Weft opens to the public on the 11th Sept and closes on the 30th October. The gallery is open Monday –Saturday 10am-5pm and admission is free. For further information please visit the Oriel Myrddin website.

Alongside this exhibition there will be a satellite exhibition at the National Wool Museum in Drefach Felindre, Carmarthenshire. Warp + Weft: from handloom to production will showcase weavers who have developed their practice into the commercial arena through collaboration with mills to produce contemporary woven textiles products for both fashion and interiors that retain a distinctive craft aesthetic. An exciting array of covetable textile goods will be presented from the following companies and designers:

Cefyn Burgess
Dashing Tweeds
Donna Wilson / SCP / Melin Tregwynt
Eleanor Pritchard
Margo Selby
The Linen Shop
Tim Parry Williams
Wallace and Sewell

The exhibition opens on 4th September and will close on 8th January 2011. The National Wool Museum opening times: April–September: open daily from 10am–5pm. October–March: Tues–Sat
10am to 5pm. Admission is free. For further information please visit the National Wool Museum website: http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/wool/

To celebrate the opening of the two exhibitions, we are delighted that noted textile academic Dr Jessica Hemmings is directing a one day symposium entitled ‘Cross disciplinary approaches to weave’ at the National Wool Museum on Saturday 11th September. Speakers confirmed so far include:

• Professor Lesley Millar, curator of a number of key textile exhibitions in the last decade, including “Textual Space” and “Cloth & Culture Now”.
• Andrew Ross, Creative Director of ASF Shetland and GlobalYell Music will be speaking about the relationship between weaving and music www.creativeindustriesshetland.org.uk
• Ruth Greany, Textile Trend Researcher for Materials at WGSN will be speaking about trends in woven materials.
• Screenings of short experimental films will explore the rhythms of weaving at the Dovecot Tapestry Studio by filmmaker Matt Hulse and Anne Wilson’s recent “Walking the Warp” project.
• Dr Wayne Forster, Deputy Head of the Welsh School of Architecture will talk about the parallels between textiles and architecture.

There are limited tickets available for this event so early booking is highly recommended. Further details and a booking form can be found here: http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/whatson/?event_id=4380

Alongside these events there are two further textile exhibitions for you to visit at The National Botanic Garden of Wales in Carmarthenshire. Fibre Art Wales will be holding its first ever ‘textiles in the open’ exhibition across the dramatic landscape of the Gardens. Fibre Art Wales patron Mary Lloyd Jones will be exhibiting alongside the following members of the group:

Alison Moger
Bethan Ash
Claire Cawte
Laura Thomas
Lisa Porch
Louise Bird
Michelle Griffiths
Ruth Harries
Ruth McLees

In The National Botanic Garden Of Wales gallery, there will be an exciting exhibition showcasing the diverse work of selected graduates, students and staff, from the BA Contemporary Textiles course in the West Wales School of the Arts, Coleg Sir Gâr. Exhibitors include:

Anita Bowyer
Danie Carter
Debbie Smyth
Elspeth Morris
Kelly Jenkins
Lisa Connelly
Liz Miller
Paula Philips Davies
Shellie Holden
Zoe Gealy

Both exhibitions at The National Botanic Garden of Wales open on the 10th Sept and close on the 30th November 2010. The gardens are open daily from 10am-6pm until the 28th October. Between the 29th Oct-28th March the opening hours are 10am-4.30pm.

The National Botanic Garden of Wales admission prices:
Adults £8.00
OAPS £6.50
Children (5-16) £4.00
Under 5’s are free
Family (2 Adults & up to 4 children) £19.50

Further details can be found here: http://www.gardenofwales.org.uk/

For further information about the exhibitions please contact:

• Curator, Laura Thomas, info@laurathomas.co.uk
• Warp +Weft, Kathryn Campbell Dodd, Oriel Myrddin Marketing Officer, KCampbell@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
• Warp + Weft: from hand loom to production: National Galleries and Museums of Wales, Curator, Laura Thomas, info@laurathomas.co.uk
• BA Contemporary Textiles Course Director, West Wales School of the Art, Paula Philips Davies, Paula.Phillips@colegsirgar.ac.uk
• Fibre Art Wales exhibition coordinator, Laura Thomas, info@laurathomas.co.uk

Forthcoming seminar at Ruthin Craft Centre 'The sum of its parts Applied art and architecture in the public realm'

Just thought I'd draw your attention to a fantastic forthcoming seminar at Ruthin Craft Centre:

The sum of its parts Applied art and architecture in the public realm

Monday 12 April 2010 10am – 5.30pm
£15 Fee includes light lunch

Chaired by Tom Dyckhoff Architecture Critic for the Times

Jonathan Sergison Sergison Bates architects
Jim Partridge & Liz Walmsley Artists
Tracy Simpson Safle
Brian Podschies Jewellery Designer
Isabel Vasseur ArtOffice
Yuko Shiraishi Artist

A day seminar that examines the relationship between Architecture and Applied Art in the creation of the public realm and the creative relationships at the heart of successful projects.

The seminar uses the experience of the design team of the new Ruthin Craft Centre Sergison Bates architects, Jim Patridge & Liz Walmsley and Brian Podschies, together with speakers from public arts agencies Isabel Vasseur - ArtOffice and Tracy Simpson - Safle and the artist Yuko Shiraishi. The seminar will be chaired by Tom Dyckhoff, architecture critic of the Times.

For further information and details of how to book please visit www.ruthincraftcentre.org.uk or call Ruthin Craft Centre on 01824 704774

Places are limited to 50 and must be booked and paid for in advance. Cancellation of a place does not automatically qualify for a refund.

Ruthin Craft Centre is part of Denbighshire County Council and is revenue funded by the Arts Council of Wales.

Introduction to Weave workshop at Ruthin Craft Centre, Feb 2010

As part of my Creative Wales Ambassador Award residency at the Ruthin Craft Centre I am undertaking various educational activities.

In February I ran an 'Introduction to Weave' workshop which went very well, and I think my five participants all got the weaving bug!

Some images from the day:

Jill Pardy Jones (above)

Hilary Gravells (above)

Kim Disley (above)

John Hunter (above)

Julia Barker (above)

not looking too tired by the end of the day!

Soon I'll be running a 'Making a warp and threading up your loom' workshop - will keep you posted on the date for this.

In meantime, you'll be able to hear me give a free lunchtime talk at Ruthin Craft Centre on the 29th April at 12.30 - would be great to see you there!

Photos from MidCentury Modern, 21st March 2010

Had a great show at Mid Century Modern last month. The show was extremely busy, and I saw a couple of old friends from school and college, that I haven't seen for years!

Just thought I'd share a couple of photos with you of my stand.....

'Second Chance' at Craft in the Bay, 3-4 April

Grab yourself a lovely bargain this Easter weekend. I'm one of 8 exhibitors in 'Second Chance' at Craft in the Bay, Cardiff. Open this Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4.30pm. Cash or cheque sales only.

Hope to see you there!

MidCentury Modern, 21st March, Dulwich College, London

Come visit me this Sunday 21st March at MidCentury Modern in Dulwich College, London. Am really excited to be taking part in this event for the first time. Hopefully there will be lots of visitors especially as its supported by Elle Decoration.

I'll be exhibiting my Resonate Collection, including the 'Miniatures' range that has been selling like hot cakes!

Open from 10am-4pm.

£6 admission.

For further details follow this link to the MidCentury Modern website.

Hope to see you there!

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!