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Saturday, August 11, 2007 - 22:47
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Stuff goes in. Stuff comes out….
In much of our education system ‐ particularly in the over examined school context - it is often implied that art/design/creativity is a kind of sausage machine process: the meat of ‘inspiration’ goes in at one end, is chopped up with a bit of other stuff, is seasoned by the maker, to then emerge conveniently packaged at the other.
This...
Tuesday, July 3, 2007 - 11:35
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Sue Prichard, in the introduction to this blog, talks of the (artist’s) ‘journey of discovery’ and I have discussed this aspect many times in various posts. The works we make also have a journey (which in reality are likely to be longer than our own passage through life!).
The installation, Order, which I first made in Gallery 101 for Concealed Discovered Revealed in June 2005...
Friday, June 29, 2007 - 10:27
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Above left: Stone drawing detail. Natural stones of Porth Ysgo.
Above right: Acrobatic documentation process. Dan and Matt below. Photographer Pete on top, held by friend from the beach.
Beneath: Finished stone drawing, Porth Ysgo.
The sub-title of this post probably should be “Hey Kids!...
Wednesday, June 20, 2007 - 13:39
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Just over a year ago, I ran a tapestry course in the V&A’s Studio.
Have been asked to run another one in September and this time we will have three full days to experiment and develop ideas.
Last year, Douglas Robertson, an artist working in and around the islands of NW Scotland, used the course to extend his technical vocabulary (pages from his sketchbook above). A selection of the...
Thursday, May 17, 2007 - 14:04
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Touch - that most primal of senses - is at the core of any artist’s sensibilities who works with stuff. Individual mark of hand is offered through the artist’s touch of material ‐ perhaps an ever precious factor in our increasingly technological and virtual world.
“We touch things to assure ourselves of reality.
We touch the objects of our love.
We touch the things we...
Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - 01:30
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I have long intended to write about Audrey Walker.   Â
A senior figure in the textile community of this country, Audrey is someone for whom I hold deep respect. I have enjoyed her work and read much of her writing but have only in the last few years had opportunity for conversation.
I realise now that Audrey is as modest in words as she is down to earth in her writing. In both, she is...
Friday, March 9, 2007 - 13:02
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It has been an exciting time for Contemporary Textiles at the V&A with two new fabulous pieces acquired for the collection from COLLECT 2007.
The first, a woven tapestry by Jo Barker (represented by The Scottish Gallery).
Dappled Circle - Scarlet
2007
45 x 84cm
Cotton warp (12 w.p.i.), wool, linen, cotton & embroidery thread.
'The new piece Dappled Circle - Scarlet, woven for C0LLECT...
Thursday, March 8, 2007 - 23:52
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Back in September I wrote about filming in Devon with BBC Education for a four week series, 'Seasonal Snapshots'. Spring - the first programme, went out today.
My day's filming will have been edited to just a few minutes and is to be broadcast within the next episode.
Seasonal Snapshots: Summer. Thursday 15 March 11.30 am BBC 2... Better be watching!
Thursday, February 15, 2007 - 16:38
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COLOUR, drawing using natural stone marks, 1m x 1m.
Into February, into better light levels and this stonework (Dec 15) is now complete and about to go off to the framer. COLOUR will hang with two other metre square stone drawings in the new Haymarket Hotel. And in the middle of March, I + team will be reinstalling ORDER, permanently, in the hotel’s foyer.
I often choose to draw in...