I’m pleased to announce that my hand embroidered artworks – Reel Stories 1 & 2 – are part of the Bulgarian Triennial of Mini Textile 2023, held in the city of Sofia. The exhibition on theme of ‘CONNECTING’ is curated by the Union of Bulgarian Artists.
The exhibition takes place 20th November – 11th December 2023 at the Gallery to the UBA, SofiaPress, 29 Slavyanska Street, Sofia, Bulgaria.
There are 217 artists from 32 countries taking part in the Micro Textile category.
Bulgarian Triennial of Mini Textile 2023
Artworks were jury selected from an international group of artists – Beatrijs Sterk (Germany), Snezana Skoko (Serbia), Asadour Markarov (China), Antonia Tabakova (Bulgaria), Dima Nedialkova-Kaprieva (Bulgaria), Margarita Dopcheva (Bulgaria) and Michaela Padeva (Bulgaria).
A new exhibition at the House of Smalls called ‘We Are The Witches’ prompted me to create a new piece of work called ‘Crone’ for the Dollhouse gallery.
“Being a witch means living in this world consciously, powerfully, and unapologetically.” ~ Gabriela Herstik.
The exhibition takes place at The House of Smalls, Cambrook Court, High Street, Chipping Campden, Glos GL55 6AT from 11th November – 16th December 2023.
About ‘Chrone’
“The witches in fairy stories are almost invariably old women, like the crone—withered and malevolent. Old women no longer have to contend with the vagaries of the desiring gaze, and without an inherent eroticism a woman is a creature even less knowable than before. Being a witch promises us a lodestone: a legacy, a lineage of women, weird and wise, who came before us. And it promises a compass with which to navigate the unknowable territory of growing older.” Sam George-Allen.
Chrone
As a woman in my 50’s I’ve never really thought of myself as old. This year however, something happened that made me think differently.
I was sitting alone in a train station, minding my own business, and avoiding engaging in conversation with two young men. One moved in close, called me a ‘Cranky Old Woman’ and both walked away. I felt uncomfortable and I know it was meant as an insult, but it really made me think.
As women we go through years of unwanted attention from men to suddenly becoming invisible to them – but when do we cross this invisible line in time? – and at what point in our lives are we perceived by society as old, crones or witches?
Size 11.5 x 11.5cm. Hand embroidered cotton cloth, vintage Sylko thread.
Update: ‘We are the Witches’ Exhibition
Chrome
We are the Witches Dollhouse Exhibition
I’m enjoying making small artworks that fit in perfectly with the scale of the Dollhouse exhibition.
I’m pleased to announce that Giant Cauliflower Harvest has been selected for the Calderdale Open 2023.
Calderdale Open 2023
To mark Calderdale’s Year of Culture in 2024, the theme of this year’s exhibition is the landscape, people, history, and heritage of Calderdale.
My father worked as a builder renovating old farm buildings in the area around Todmorden in Calderdale. I’m honoured to have this artwork in the exhibition.
Hand embroidered art – Giant Cauliflower Harvest
Giant Cauliflower Harvest – detail
The exhibition takes place at Smith Art Gallery, Halifax Road, Brighouse HD6 2AF, Yorkshire. Open from Saturday 30th September 2023 until Tuesday 9th April 2024.
Judges
All competition works will be submitted to the judging panel below, who will select the works for display,
Paul Bartram
Paul is the owner of the Yorkshire Gallery in the Piece Hall. He is a passionate supporter of Yorkshire based Artists/Designer makers. He is proud to showcase their work in a carefully curated space with a regular programme of exhibitions that reflects passion for fine art, contemporary jewellery, and engaging craft.
Alice Bradshaw
Alice is an artist, curator and writer based in Elland. She is interested in discarded, everyday materials and words. Recycling and repetition are important strategies in her work, which sets up a dialogue around the value of rubbish through objects, publications, exhibitions, and events. Alice runs Art Lab at Dean Clough, a monthly artists’ presentations and social event, and co-produces Dwell Time, an award-winning arts publication reflecting on mental wellbeing.
Dr Jo Neil
Dr Jo Neil is Course Leader for the BA (Hons) Fine Art at Leeds Arts University. The BA (Hons) Fine Art course has studio communities and facilities for painting, sculpture, and time-based practices (performance, moving image and sound). Jo’s first degree is in fine art painting and current practice is multi-disciplinary. It explores the spaces between research, making, writing, presenting and performance
Update October 2023:
I’m pleased to announce that Giant Cauliflower Harvest has received 2nd place in the Calderdale Open 2023. It’s a beautifully curated exhibition.
Sitting with my artwork – 2nd place
I’m chuffed to bits and in complete awe at the curation of this stunning exhibition – of the 87 pieces on display, I counted four pieces of beautiful textile artwork.
Thank you to curator Eli Dawson and the judges Paul Bartram of @theyorkshiregallery, Alice Bradshaw alicebradshaw.co.uk and Dr Joanna Neil (Course Leader for the BA (Hons) Fine Art at Leeds Arts University) for the award.
I can heartily recommend a visit and there’s also a visitors choice award so please vote for your favourite work.
