Monday, October 5, 2015
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Celebrating Capability Brown at Blenheim Palace
The entire Embroiderer's Guild will be celebrating Capability Brown at venues up and down the country. Oxford Branch are delighted that Blenheim Palace will be hosting us. The team there are keen to give us the best possible experience with our exhibition, and have very kindly sent a selection of photographs showing some of the famous views of the Park. All photos are copyright of Blenheim Palace.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
What's on in October
Annual General Meeting followed by a short talk by Doke Ostle, a Dutch artist who lives in Oxford. She will show us her haunting pictures made from petals.
"Creative Adventures"
7.15 pm on 14 October 2015
at Iffley Village Church Hall, Iffley, OX4 4EG.
Visitors welcome £5.00
© Doke Ostle
"Creative Adventures"
7.15 pm on 14 October 2015
at Iffley Village Church Hall, Iffley, OX4 4EG.
Visitors welcome £5.00
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Cherrilyn Tyler Workshop
There are still a few places available for this Saturday's workshop, 26 September.
Cherrilyn Tyler
Working in an Experimental Way to Make Silk Papers
To experiment using a variety of silk fibres to make papers to use in stitch. At the end of the day you will have at least 5 different papers and ideas as to how to use them.
Saturday, 26 September, 2016
10.00 am - 4.00 pm
Marsh Baldon Village Hall
Marsh Baldon
Oxford
OX44 9LL
Members £27
Non-members £32
Thursday, September 10, 2015
9 September 2015, Bethany Walker - "Breaking the Mould"
Last night was the first branch meeting for the 2015/16 programme and what a great start to the new year. The meeting was really well attended. Some of our branch have been members for many years so there was a lot of meeting and greeting long-time friends but there were also many visitors and new members so there was a buzz of excitement of meeting new friends.
There was also a lot of business to get through at the beginning of the meeting – Oxford Branch has a lot to look forward to over the next few months – but Karen got through it all in reasonable time so we could sit back and enjoy our speaker for the evening.
Bethany Walker is an exciting emerging Mixed Media Artist best known for her ‘signature’ combination of materials – cement and textiles - unique and surprising mix so Bethany began by telling us how it came about.
Bethany told us about how she had enjoyed ‘making’ from an early age and that, although she enjoyed art at school, she was not confident about drawing and painting. We heard how working as an intern for mixed media artist Laura McCafferty convinced her to take the advice of her art teacher to take an art foundation course before going to University.
In the third year Bethany at De Montfort University, found inspiration for her degree show in the urban environment of her walking route to and from campus. On her website, Bethany describes it thus :
“A derelict building with its windows smashed and exposed brickwork covered with graffiti; a weathered billboard, its latest poster peeling revealing the one below; rusty railings which look as though tiny volcanoes have erupted all over it tarnishing it with burn marks.”
For her degree show Bethany focused on the streets and pavements - the contrast of colour between the dull tarmac and the bright flashes of road markings. While essentially happy with her first piece of work – screen printing and mark-making on canvas - Bethany felt that it was lacking something. A fellow student suggested, “Why don’t you dip it in cement?”. The throw away comment was intended as a joke but Bethany recognised that this radical contrast of texture was exactly what she was aiming for. She did exactly that and was pleased with the outcome. After that Bethany devised her own methods for combining textiles with the cement mix resulting in captivating and intriguing pieces.
Following her degree show Bethany was invited to take part in the New Designers Exhibition, where she made her first sale, then spent a year as artist in residence at De Montfort University.
Last year Bethany was invited by textile artist, Ruth Singer, to work in collaboration with her, resulting in Interlace – a colourful and surprising installations formed of concrete bowls set with delicate textiles. Since their first exhibition at Bilston Craft Gallery, Ruth and Bethany continue to work and exhibit together.
Meanwhile Bethany continues to work on her own collections and has begun exploring and developing ideas based upon rust.
There was also a lot of business to get through at the beginning of the meeting – Oxford Branch has a lot to look forward to over the next few months – but Karen got through it all in reasonable time so we could sit back and enjoy our speaker for the evening.
Bethany Walker is an exciting emerging Mixed Media Artist best known for her ‘signature’ combination of materials – cement and textiles - unique and surprising mix so Bethany began by telling us how it came about.
© Bethany Walker
Bethany told us about how she had enjoyed ‘making’ from an early age and that, although she enjoyed art at school, she was not confident about drawing and painting. We heard how working as an intern for mixed media artist Laura McCafferty convinced her to take the advice of her art teacher to take an art foundation course before going to University.
Early work based on road markings
© Bethany Walker
© Bethany Walker
In the third year Bethany at De Montfort University, found inspiration for her degree show in the urban environment of her walking route to and from campus. On her website, Bethany describes it thus :
“A derelict building with its windows smashed and exposed brickwork covered with graffiti; a weathered billboard, its latest poster peeling revealing the one below; rusty railings which look as though tiny volcanoes have erupted all over it tarnishing it with burn marks.”
© Bethany Walker
© Bethany Walker
For her degree show Bethany focused on the streets and pavements - the contrast of colour between the dull tarmac and the bright flashes of road markings. While essentially happy with her first piece of work – screen printing and mark-making on canvas - Bethany felt that it was lacking something. A fellow student suggested, “Why don’t you dip it in cement?”. The throw away comment was intended as a joke but Bethany recognised that this radical contrast of texture was exactly what she was aiming for. She did exactly that and was pleased with the outcome. After that Bethany devised her own methods for combining textiles with the cement mix resulting in captivating and intriguing pieces.
Following her degree show Bethany was invited to take part in the New Designers Exhibition, where she made her first sale, then spent a year as artist in residence at De Montfort University.
Interlace
© Ruth Singer & Bethany Walker
© Ruth Singer & Bethany Walker
Interlace
© Ruth Singer & Bethany Walker
© Ruth Singer & Bethany Walker
Last year Bethany was invited by textile artist, Ruth Singer, to work in collaboration with her, resulting in Interlace – a colourful and surprising installations formed of concrete bowls set with delicate textiles. Since their first exhibition at Bilston Craft Gallery, Ruth and Bethany continue to work and exhibit together.
New samples exploring rust
© Bethany Walker
© Bethany Walker
Meanwhile Bethany continues to work on her own collections and has begun exploring and developing ideas based upon rust.
Monday, September 7, 2015
What's on in September
Bethany Walker is an exciting emerging Mixed Media Artist best known for her ‘signature’ combination of materials – cement and textiles. This dynamic contrast of materials create beautiful and captivating pieces which possess immense tactile qualities. Bethany has developed her individual hand techniques, meaning each piece is individual and creates intrigue with its integral shape, colour and relief.
"Breaking the Mould"
7.15 pm on Wednesday 9 September 2015
at Iffley Village Church Hall, Iffley, OX4 4EG.
Visitors welcome £5.00
© Bethany Walker
"Breaking the Mould"
7.15 pm on Wednesday 9 September 2015
at Iffley Village Church Hall, Iffley, OX4 4EG.
Visitors welcome £5.00
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Happy New Year
The Oxford branch of the Embroiderers' Guild is a friendly and active group of embroiderers and mixed media artists of all levels of experience and a broad range of interests. We meet at 7.15pm on the second Wednesday of each month (except August) at Iffley Village Church Hall, Iffley, OX4 4EG.
For Oxford Branch the year begins in September and we have an exciting 12 months ahead of us.
Ten Fascinating Lectures
We have a varied programme of interesting speakers, including a contemporary artist whose ‘signature’ materials are cement and textiles; a student of traditional Japanese embroidery; a jewellery designer whose flamboyant adornments are the influence of nature; an applied artist who uses ‘soft materials’ in her one-off tactile and organic pieces; and an artist who aims to both celebrate and critique vintage textile pieces. Other lectures will be on the history of banners and why they have their place in the contemporary arts; the attraction of repaired things and the intimacy of being shown the holes in other people’s clothes; an introduction to the Textile Collections of at the Ashmolean Museum; and a year in the life of an Embroiderers’ Guild Scholar.
Five Fun Workshops
In the workshops we will experiment with silk papers; learn Japanese bead embroidery techniques; explore a range of different print techniques with can be used on paper and fabric; try out different techniques to create a range of different flowers; and try our hand at white work.
And Two 'Big' Events
Celebrating Capability Brown at Blenheim Palace
The entire Embroiderers’ Guild will be celebrating Capability Brown at venues up and down the country. Oxford Branch are delighted that Blenheim Palace will be hosting and exhibition of our work from Saturday, 13 February to Monday, 2 May 2016.
South East West Regional Day
Oxford Branch are proud to be hosting the SEW Regional Day on Saturday, 16 April, 2016 and we hope to make it the best Regional Day yet. We are very excited about our two guest speakers, Diana Springall and Michele Carragher.
Diana Springall is amongst the most well-known of all British textile artists. Her work is found in many private and public collections, including the Embroiderers' Guild. She has devoted more than half of her forty plus year career to full-time teaching and lecturing. Diana is also a former chairman of The Embroiderers' Guild and has written five books on the subject of embroidery.
Michele Carragher is a hand embroiderer who has been working in costume on film and television productions for over 15 years. She was principal costume embroiderer on the Emmy costume award-winning production of "Elizabeth 1" and her most recent work has been on the Costume award-winning television series "Game of Thrones", working on all five seasons.
There will be a selection of traders present, including Art Van Go and 21st Century Yarn.
The competition, titled "Any silk, any thread" (Act IV, scene IV, A Winter’s Tale) is a celebration of 400 years of William Shakespeare. Work may be based on the competition title "Any silk, any thread", on the play A Winter's Tale or any aspect of William Shakespeare that offers inspiration.
If you are interested in embroidery and/or mixed media art why not join us. Visitors and new members are always welcome.
For Oxford Branch the year begins in September and we have an exciting 12 months ahead of us.
Ten Fascinating Lectures
We have a varied programme of interesting speakers, including a contemporary artist whose ‘signature’ materials are cement and textiles; a student of traditional Japanese embroidery; a jewellery designer whose flamboyant adornments are the influence of nature; an applied artist who uses ‘soft materials’ in her one-off tactile and organic pieces; and an artist who aims to both celebrate and critique vintage textile pieces. Other lectures will be on the history of banners and why they have their place in the contemporary arts; the attraction of repaired things and the intimacy of being shown the holes in other people’s clothes; an introduction to the Textile Collections of at the Ashmolean Museum; and a year in the life of an Embroiderers’ Guild Scholar.
Five Fun Workshops
In the workshops we will experiment with silk papers; learn Japanese bead embroidery techniques; explore a range of different print techniques with can be used on paper and fabric; try out different techniques to create a range of different flowers; and try our hand at white work.
And Two 'Big' Events
Celebrating Capability Brown at Blenheim Palace
The entire Embroiderers’ Guild will be celebrating Capability Brown at venues up and down the country. Oxford Branch are delighted that Blenheim Palace will be hosting and exhibition of our work from Saturday, 13 February to Monday, 2 May 2016.
©
Blenheim Palace
South East West Regional Day
Oxford Branch are proud to be hosting the SEW Regional Day on Saturday, 16 April, 2016 and we hope to make it the best Regional Day yet. We are very excited about our two guest speakers, Diana Springall and Michele Carragher.
Diana Springall is amongst the most well-known of all British textile artists. Her work is found in many private and public collections, including the Embroiderers' Guild. She has devoted more than half of her forty plus year career to full-time teaching and lecturing. Diana is also a former chairman of The Embroiderers' Guild and has written five books on the subject of embroidery.
Michele Carragher is a hand embroiderer who has been working in costume on film and television productions for over 15 years. She was principal costume embroiderer on the Emmy costume award-winning production of "Elizabeth 1" and her most recent work has been on the Costume award-winning television series "Game of Thrones", working on all five seasons.
There will be a selection of traders present, including Art Van Go and 21st Century Yarn.
The competition, titled "Any silk, any thread" (Act IV, scene IV, A Winter’s Tale) is a celebration of 400 years of William Shakespeare. Work may be based on the competition title "Any silk, any thread", on the play A Winter's Tale or any aspect of William Shakespeare that offers inspiration.
William Shakespeare
If you are interested in embroidery and/or mixed media art why not join us. Visitors and new members are always welcome.
Monday, June 1, 2015
What's on in June
Karen Grenfell a professional artist who combines her love of hand embroidery with painting producing mixed media works including a range of Cockney Sparrows and Budgie Stufferies, and a unique pet portrait service which can be found around the globe from Alaska to Australia! She is the artist behind MimiLove Forever and her works have appeared in various shows and galleries.
"A Needle, a Paintbrush and Too Much Time on My Hands"
7.15 pm on Wednesday 10 June 2015
at Iffley Village Church Hall, Iffley, OX4 4EG.
Visitors welcome £5.00
©
Karen Grenfell
"A Needle, a Paintbrush and Too Much Time on My Hands"
7.15 pm on Wednesday 10 June 2015
at Iffley Village Church Hall, Iffley, OX4 4EG.
Visitors welcome £5.00
Friday, May 1, 2015
What's on in May
This month's guest speaker, Rosie James, is a textile artist who, in her own words, "creates all kinds of things using my sewing machine". Rosie will be giving a lecture exploring the work of contemporary textile artists who use the sewing machine as a drawing tool. We will be looking at various artists and considering their inspirations and techniques, concepts and ideas.
"Stitch Draw"
7.15 pm on Wednesday 13 May 2015
at Iffley Village Church Hall, Iffley, OX4 4EG.
Visitors welcome £5.00
©
Rosie James
"Stitch Draw"
7.15 pm on Wednesday 13 May 2015
at Iffley Village Church Hall, Iffley, OX4 4EG.
Visitors welcome £5.00
Monday, March 9, 2015
What's on in March
This month our guest speaker is Claire Blackburn.
"An Insight into my work with an emphasis on the anthropological nature of my pieces; recording stories in stitch, the things that inspire me and the variety of techniques I employ within my practice."
"A Homage to the Ordinary"
7.15 pm on Wednesday 12 March 2015
at Iffley Village Church Hall, Iffley, OX4 4EG.
Visitors welcome £5.00
"An Insight into my work with an emphasis on the anthropological nature of my pieces; recording stories in stitch, the things that inspire me and the variety of techniques I employ within my practice."
©
Claire Blackburn
"A Homage to the Ordinary"
7.15 pm on Wednesday 12 March 2015
at Iffley Village Church Hall, Iffley, OX4 4EG.
Visitors welcome £5.00
Monday, February 9, 2015
What's on in February
This month our guest speaker is Cherrilyn Tyler.
Cherrilyn has been a practising textile artist and teacher for over 20 years. Her work has an ethereal quality using a very delicate colour palette and fine fabrics strongly based on quality of stitch and design.
"It's Pants"
7.15 pm on Wednesday 1 February 2015
at Iffley Village Church Hall, Iffley, OX4 4EG.
Visitors welcome £5.00
Cherrilyn has been a practising textile artist and teacher for over 20 years. Her work has an ethereal quality using a very delicate colour palette and fine fabrics strongly based on quality of stitch and design.
©
Cherrilyn Tyler
"It's Pants"
7.15 pm on Wednesday 1 February 2015
at Iffley Village Church Hall, Iffley, OX4 4EG.
Visitors welcome £5.00
Thursday, January 1, 2015
What's on in January
Our first guest speaker of 2015 is our very own Wendy Hughes! Wendy's profile begins by saying
"In a globalised world in which hi-tech is more and more playing a major role in peoples lives, Wendy Hughes’ work goes against the trend. Her preoccupation is with work which has an effortless randomness and irregularity only possible when produced by hand."
and concludes with
"Wendy Hughes’ work is intuitive and materially led. She pares down her ideas to minimum. There is no unnecessary decoration. The fabrics she uses add softness and vulnerability to forms the otherwise would be severe in their minimalism.
The work stands by itself, a statement in simplicity."
"My Journey with Fabric and Thread"
7.15 pm on Wednesday 14 January 2015
at Iffley Village Church Hall, Iffley, OX4 4EG.
Visitors welcome £5.00
"In a globalised world in which hi-tech is more and more playing a major role in peoples lives, Wendy Hughes’ work goes against the trend. Her preoccupation is with work which has an effortless randomness and irregularity only possible when produced by hand."
and concludes with
"Wendy Hughes’ work is intuitive and materially led. She pares down her ideas to minimum. There is no unnecessary decoration. The fabrics she uses add softness and vulnerability to forms the otherwise would be severe in their minimalism.
The work stands by itself, a statement in simplicity."
©
Wendy Hughes
"My Journey with Fabric and Thread"
7.15 pm on Wednesday 14 January 2015
at Iffley Village Church Hall, Iffley, OX4 4EG.
Visitors welcome £5.00
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