Month: April 2024

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Comme Ca Art x AWOL Studios 2024 Open 

Comme Ca Art x AWOL Studios 2024 Open 

I’m pleased to announce that the Giant Cauliflower Harvest  has been jury selected for the Comme Ca Art x AWOL Studios 2024 Open exhibition. I’ll be one of 22 artists showing work in the exhibition.

The exhibition takes place Friday 17th May – Saturday 22nd June 2024 at AWOL Studios, 5th Floor, Hope Mill, Pollard Street, Manchester M4 7JA. During the exhibition people can view by appointment, Wednesday & Thursday 11am – 4pm and on Saturdays from 11am – 2pm.

Giant Cauliflower Harvest part of Comme Ca Art x AWOL Studios 2024 Open 
Giant Cauliflower Harvest part of Comme Ca Art x AWOL Studios 2024 Open 
Giant Cauliflower Harvest - detail
Giant Cauliflower Harvest – detail

The judging panel included:

Short Supply: Acclaimed artist-led organisation based in the North West of England that creates opportunities for emerging artists

Sean Williams: Sheffield based Artist, Curator & member of the Contemporary British Painting group.

Ceri Morgan: Award winning interior & exterior designer based in the North West.

Comme Ca Art x AWOL Studios

Hope Mill , Manchester - home to AWOL Studios
Hope Mill , Manchester – home to AWOL Studios

“Our home is Hope Mill, a beautiful grade II listed building built in 1824 as a cotton spinning and fustian weaving mill for Joseph Clarke & Sons. Over the next 177 years it has had many other guises, from engineering works to dog bed factory, gradually and gracefully falling into decline and disrepair until it was rescued by Hope Mill Partnership in 2001. With AWOL being the first business to lay down its artistic roots in Hope Mill in 2007 it has become one of the most important centres for the arts in Manchester, allowing for a natural regeneration of this important historic building and attracting a myriad of other creative businesses.” AWOL Studios, located in the heart of Ancoats, Manchester.

I’m delighted to be showing work again in a Manchester Open Exhibition.

Update – Exhibition Preview Evening

The preview evening event took place on one of the most beautiful evenings we’ve had recently. I was thrilled to discover that over 200 artists applied and I was one 22 artists selected.

Comme Ca Art x AWOL Studios 2024 Open 
Comme Ca Art x AWOL Studios 2024 Open 

The event was busy and the winning artists were announced – Overall winner Emma Lloyd and runner up (and fellow textile artist) Laura Nathan.

Congratulations to all the fabulous artists and to Comme Ca Art and AWOL Studios for curating a stunning exhibition.

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Manchester Tart

I feel very lucky to have had a childhood full of tasty home cooked food. This includes the dinners at primary school and a delicious pudding I remember the dinner ladies made with bananas, coconut and custard. My latest hand embroidered artwork is dedicated to this delicious desert which was one of my favourite school puddings ever – Manchester Tart.

Manchester Tart
Manchester Tart
Finishing the piece with a hand stitched edge.
Finishing the piece with a hand stitched edge.

Recipe for Manchester Tart 

A huge favourite in Lancashire. It’s delicious.

Although there are plenty of recipes available on the internet, this is how I remember it made.

  • Shortcrust pastry
  • Raspberry jam
  • Sliced bananas
  • Thick custard
  • Desiccated coconut 
  • Line a baking tray with pastry, bake blind and cool.
  • Spread with a layer of raspberry jam.
  • Add a layer of bananas.
  • Cover with an inch layer of custard.
  • Sprinkle with desiccated coconut.
  • Leave it to set for an hour and eat cold. 
Completed work
Completed work

“one of my favourite school puddings, dished up at primary school, the dinner ladies made it in really big metal trays, cut into squares, I liked it chilled, and the corner slices that had a nice pastry crust on them.”

Size 11 x 23cm, hand embroidered with vintage Sylko threads onto cotton cloth.

Reverse of Manchester Tart
Reverse of Manchester Tart

This piece is my latest addition to a body of work based on Lancashire food.