Ptolemy Mann . . .

I've been here there and everywhere over the last couple of weeks and seen many exhibitions.  The first of my trips was to North Wales last week to catch the Ptolemy Mann show at Ruthin Craft Centre before it closed that weekend.  The gallery space was a glorious wash of colour, bold, sharp and rich.  Lengths of digitally printed fabric hung floor to ceiling alongside Ptolemy's signature hand woven art pieces.  Displayed were also designs from her consultancy for architects and collaborations with fashion and interior designers.  A truly beautiful show.

Unfortunately the exhibition has now finished but if you would like to see more of Ptolemy's work then visit her website : www.ptolemymann.com.  Blog image from here.

Liubov Popova . . .

'Building the Revolution' also introduced me to the work of Liubov Popova.  As a female she was a rare commodity in the male-dominated world of Soviet art.  Her work fused Cubo-Futurism, Suprematism and Constructivism, for which she gave the term 'Painterly Architectonics'.  Having worked extensively as a painter she extended her practice to include poster, book, theatre and fabric designs.  I find her print designs particularly inspiring . . .

images from here.

Building the Revolution . . .

On the first of my trips to London this year I went to visit 'Building the Revolution' at the Royal Academy.  The exhibition showcases Soviet Art and Architecture from 1915-1935.  The show includes drawings and plans by innovative designers and artist of the time displayed alongside modern day photographs taken by Richard Pare of how the builds appear now.  Richards work is incredibly striking.  If you get a chance, I highly recommend a visit.  The show closes on the 22nd January.  Here are some of my favourites . . .

images from here.

Made by Hand . . .

Here are a few snaps from earlier this month at Made by Hand in Newport.  After months of handweaving I launched my first scarf collection at the show.  Inspired by the Festival of Britain, each scarf  is named after a British city.  What's your favourite? Glasgow, London, Swansea or Brighton . . .

Tredegar House, Newport

Stand 100

Glasgow

Swansea

London

Brighton

busy, busy, busy . . .

Lots of juggling going on in the studio at the moment what with Hothouse, teaching, curating and making.  I've been in production mode for the last couple of months now and the deadlines are nearly upon me.  Lots of cushions have been sent to London for the Designers / Makers pop-up shop which opens in Exmouth market tomorrow and new ones are being sewn ready for Made By Hand in just under two weeks.  I finished weaving all my new scarf collection earlier today, so this week will be all about braiding, washing and labelling.

Last warp on the loom.

COLLABORATE is also opening next Wednesday so the team are busy getting all the work ready for hanging.  Look out for the posters . . .

COMING SOON . . . .

30th Nov 2011 - 20th Jan 2012. The Hive Gallery, Shrewsbury, SY1 1TE

'Collaborate is an exhibition showcasing the crème de la crème of Shrewsburys creative talent, who by sharing their skills with each other have enhanced their commercial design practice. From a mixture of creative backgrounds; photography, fine art, fashion, textiles, digital media, and illustration, collaborate looks to document the creative process behind these exchanges. The result is a story of interdisciplinary projects.'


This is an exhibition I am curating. You can read more about the exhibition on the new blog.

in the studio . . . .

It has been a busy month in the studio for me.  I have been making warps and getting the loom set up for scarf production.  I also have new cushions in production.  All these new products will be available to purchase at the Designers / Makers shop in London (25th November-23rd December) and at Made by Hand in Newport, South Wales (2nd-4th December).  But if you cannot make these dates, fear not because there is a new online shop coming to my website very soon. 
.

A sneaky preview of one of the colour ways, hot off the loom.

Here are my new tags, business cards and labels.