I
didn’t buy a lot… I’ve bought so much in previous years, which I’m yet to do
anything with, that I’m more restrained nowadays. I was on the look out for
upholstery/interior fabrics for my bags, but in the end all I bought was a lamp
and a rather brilliant greeting card by artist Michala Gyetvai, whose work
absolutely blew me away…
 | ||||||
| Michala Gyetvai
– A Winter’s Walk (Painting) Photograph originally uploaded by Abby Swanwick |
Michala’s work always starts as a sketch, in media such as oil pastel on coloured paper. She then develops this into a painting, a textile piece or in the case of the artworks above and below, both.
 |
| Michala Gyetvai
– Snow on snow Photograph originally uploaded by Abby Swanwick |
The way she manipulates fibres and stitch to emulate the marks she makes on the page, leave me in absolute awe – both flow alike.
 |
| Michala Gyetvai – Rhapsody of Colour Photograph originally uploaded by Abby Swanwick |
I like the way Michala displays her work, mounted onto a canvas, which helps the piece to keep it’s undulating shape. Her use of colour is incredible, incorporating so many more shades than I would see in a scene like this, but so true.
 |
MichalaGyetvai – Rhapsody of Colour (details)
Photograph originally uploaded by Abby Swanwick
|
She embellishes either old blankets or her own handmade felt, before adding stitch by both hand and machine.
 |
MichalaGyetvai - A story within my stitches
Photograph originally uploaded by Abby Swanwick
|
To be quite honest, I struggled to tear myself away from Michala and her exhibition – as she too is so approachable. I’d love to have a go at working with felt, fibres and stitch the way she does, but I’ll never be able to create works as awesome as these!
Another
artist whose work I stumbled across, and whom is one of my personal favourites,
was Susan Chapman. Susan is always a joy to talk to, so free in her experimentation
and forthcoming with her knowledge – I’m guaranteed to feel inspired following
a visit to her exhibition/demonstration space.
 |
SusanChapman’s exhibition/demonstration space
Photograph originally uploaded by Abby Swanwick
|
 | ||
| Susan Chapman Photograph originally uploaded by Abby Swanwick |
I’m
drawn to works that incorporate people, whether that be drawn, painted,
stitched or appliquéd etc, and it’s for this reason I was drawn to Susan’s work
in the first place.
 |
| Susan Chapman Photograph originally uploaded by Abby Swanwick |
That was before she incorporated another love of mine... handwriting!
 |
| Susan Chapman Photograph originally uploaded by Abby Swanwick |
I’ll
freely admit… I’m afraid of using colour within my work and although Susan
isn’t, I really like that these artworks are simply black and white!
 |
| Susan Chapman Photograph originally uploaded by Abby Swanwick |
In
addition to the work on display, Susan encouraged passers-by to sign their name
on to pieces of plain white cotton for use in a piece of collaborative work… I
couldn’t let this opportunity go by, (bottom right) not when I was signing the
same piece of fabric as Ineke Berlyn and Edwina MacKinnon (whose work I also
admire/adore).
The
work of many other artists caught my eye, however, I can’t possibly mention
them all, else we’d both be here forever… so for my final offering, I give you
textile group, Studio 21.
 |
| Studio 21 - Chinese Whispers Photograph originally uploaded by Abby Swanwick |
I
was drawn in by these pieces, created in response to sound. You can tell can’t
you?! I like the simplicity in the raw edges, the straight lines and the
minimal use of colour.
 |
| Studio 21 - Chinese Whispers Photograph originally uploaded by Abby Swanwick |
I
appreciate the three-dimensional quality to this work. Again you can see the
subtle influence of sound, in both the mark making and the form.
 |
| Studio 21 - Chinese Whispers Photograph originally uploaded by Abby Swanwick |
These
pieces remind me of samplers (they may well be samplers). They’re a great idea
to trial a stitch or an idea on a small scale.
It’s
fair to say that if I could only afford to visit one show next year, then ICHFEvent’s Sewing for Pleasure/Fashion, Embroidery and Stitch/Hobbycraft at
Birmingham’s NEC would be it. It caters for all crafters and is much more
manageable in size… definitely quality over quantity!
Now
all I need is find some time to have a play…
Thanks for dropping by :-)
Abby
No comments:
Post a Comment