C-Art 2015 Wrapped: Response work

Wrapped, 2015

September in Cumbria means it's time for C-Art, when artists and art organisations across Cumbria open their studios to the public. At Prism Arts we've been busy putting together a display of work by the groups we work with and this year we also have a new strand to our displays. All of the Prism Artists were invited to produce some work in response to the work of our participants and this work is on show in our small studio (which is just across the corridor from our big studio.) We have also got 'Skyground' on display in the small studio and it's interesting how differently it works inside (previously it was on display in Tullie House gardens.)

Skyground, 2015

Work by No Borders

I chose to respond to work by one of the members of the No Borders group that I regularly work with and I created a series of branches wrapped with different threads, yarns and fibres which I then dyed using indigo. So, as well as responding to the work of another artist I also used this as an opportunity to explore a technique I'd been wanting to try for some time; indigo dyeing. I had already done a bit of work inspired by this person so this was a good opportunity to develop it a bit further.

Exhibition view, small studio

Earth Spirits (detail) by Leah Cameron

Jan Hicks

Celia Burbush

When we (Prism Artists) all came to install our work it was interesting to see how well our pieces worked together. Leah's beautiful 'Earth Spirits' were already in place and as soon as I saw them I knew I wanted to display my branches above them, which was lucky as that was the space I'd been allocated! Further along we hung Jan Hick's beautiful bird piece, all of our pieces referencing the natural world. Opposite the indigo blues of my branches are matched by the vibrant blue skies and beautiful seascapes of Celia Burbush. None of us had spoken to each other about our response pieces so it was really lovely how all the work came together so well.

Wrapped, 2015

Wrapped (detail)  2015

Wrapped (detail)  2015

This is my statement, accompanying my work:

Delivering projects for Prism Arts gives me the opportunity to work with a wide range of people in a variety of settings. Often my own art practice is greatly influenced by these projects. I am often inspired by the ideas, approaches and sheer joy of making that I see in many of the participants I work with. The projects also give me an opportunity to play and experiment with materials and techniques as I often produce sample pieces to take to workshops.

Magic Tree by Jackie, 2014

When all the Prism Arts artists were invited to make a piece of work in response to the work of our participants I knew immediately that I wanted to respond to the work of Jackie from the No Borders Art Group at Carlton Day Service. During one of the projects I'd been working on with this group I had introduced them to thread wrapping as a way of exploring colour and texture. Jackie took this idea and developed it, creating a beautiful thread wrapped branch. Her intuitive use of colour and texture and her focus on her work really inspired me and led to this series of indigo dyed thread wrapped branches.

This piece of work ties in with previous pieces of mine exploring restraint and containment but would not have come about without Jackie.

Wrapped (detail)  2015

Wrapped (detail)  2015

Wrapped (detail)  2015

As I mentioned in my statement this work explores the dichotomy of wrapping; it can be both protective and restrictive, a restraint or a comfort. I like these two conflicting interpretations and have tried to emphasise this element of the work further by my use of materials, both delicate and strong, natural and fabricated.

Wrapped (detail)  2015

Wrapped (detail)  2015

Wrapped (detail)  2015

I have really enjoyed working on these branches, it is a very therapeutic process and I like the finished result too. Working with natural materials and experimenting with natural dyeing is also a very satisfying process, creating a feeling of connection with the natural world. It is quite a time consuming process, allowing time for contemplation and consideration. 

Wrapped Up

Thread wrapping-Tools and materials

I seem to have spent a lot of time wrapping things this week, it started off with Mr. Stitches birthday present, moved onto some preparation for a workshop I'm attending in March, carried on with some thread wrapping of twigs and continued with wrapping some of my hand dyed threads onto card so they're ready to use in my embroideries.

Temari-Materials

My favourite colour combination

Wrapped, ready to embroider

I'm going to a Temari (Japenese embroidered balls) workshop with the Embroiderers Guild in March, I'm really looking forward to it as it's not something I've ever done before and I think they are beautiful so I'm looking forward to learning how to make them. In preparation I had to wind polysterene balls in tights and sewing cotton, which was oddly therapeutic! I hope my winding is even enough.

Hand dyed threads and card holders

Linen mix 

Coton Perle 

I've also been working on thread wrapping and dyeing some twigs. I don't want to write too much about them here as I'm planning a separate blog post dedicated to twigs and thread in the near future! Again, it is a very therapeutic process, rhythmic and satisfying but more on that at a later date...

Wrapped and dyed branch

Wrapped and dyed sample

Detail

I've been blogging less recently, I was thinking about why and as with most things there isn't just one reason but a combination. It isn't because I've not been doing things, as usual I've been busy with a variety of projects including properly starting another new job (I seem to collect them like other people collect stamps.) I think it is partly to do with the weather, I love winter but at this time of year it is easy to become despondent after days and days of overcast skies, cold evenings and dark mornings. I just want to get home, wrap up and shut out the world. Yesterday, however, we had snow! It made the journey to work a little challenging (Mr. Stitches and I were amongst the few able to make it in) but it also made the world very beautiful. And I had to wrap up (you can see where I'm going with this.)

View from my studio window yesterday morning

When I got to work

The car park

It still sometimes surprises me how much I love living up here in Cumbria. I always thought of myself as a city dweller, I love the countryside but am never quite sure what to do with it. I used to love the bustle and energy of living in a big city (Manchester) and found it hard when I left for sleepy Penrith. I never thought I would settle up here but life has a way of changing your plans and now I live in Carlisle and work on what was once a farm (The Heathlands Project) and travel all over rural Cumbria to deliver workshops and am very happy! I live right on the edge of Carlisle, with the fells visible, the river nearby and easy access to the great outdoors. I digress somewhat but the point I was meandering towards was that I've not been blogging because I've been wrapped up in my own wintery world, and that's not such a bad thing. So, here's to wrapping up both literally and metaphorically!

This was the view when I got to work last week

Morning sunshine