Village Art WORDS TO ARTISTRY
Bromsgrove artist Richard McIlwraith is
thrilled by the talent of local embroiderers.
Y
ou simply must visit Artrix in October and see the stagger- ing textile artistry on the art
centre’s white walls in this touring exhibition by the Embroiderers’ Guild. Each of the 120+ pieces take a book as inspiration. The display is named “Page 17” and may just leave you speechless. Viewing the combi- nation of painstaking work and rich imagination is an intense experi- ence, heightened by the knowledge that the creators range from experts to gifted novices. Curators Amanda Smith and Alex
Messenger created this overwhelm- ing display to raise the profile of textile and stitched art. Traditional hand stitching and contemporary
machine work intertwine and dance as you move through the exhibi- tion. Amanda and Alex asked me to stress that this is the final opportu- nity to experience the exhibition; following a remarkable year, the tour of the UK comes sadly to an end. Words to artistry and back to
words: A review in prose seems inadequate. Having spent the best half-hour of my week soaking in this exhibition, something deeper, more elemental, more creative is the only
response that feels appropriate. Here goes…
Jane Austen’s Persuasion, Domesday Book of 1086, Watership Down by Richard Adams, Prehistoric rock art, Sketchbooks, poetry, British flora – Scores and scores of stimulating books –
Explosions of imagination. Enigmatic art in thread and cloth.
Canvas, collage, cotton, Wrapped, padded, pleated, Free machine, needlelace, Layered linen, stitched satin, Background gold, old felt, Fleece, beads, bleached chiffon, Ribbon, buttons, tea-dyed scrim, Tissue shrunk, muslin, leather, Thread and cloth, embellished, embossed.
Textured gesso, gauze, Remnants, velvet, wax and silk, Wire and foil, fabric stain. Pause. Step back. Admire.
Above: Lapwing & Chick by Elaine Dunn. Top: Pieces by Anne Carrick and Anne Brooke. Below: More examples of the group’s work.
A library of toil; white walls filled. Full, unchained applause.
Visit
www.embroiderersguild.com to
find out more about the Guild and your nearest branch. The Artrix exhibition runs until Sunday November 4 at the following times: weekdays 9am to 2pm; Saturdays 10am to 2pm; and on per- formance evenings. Don’t forget there is a café too! Artrix is located on Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove, B60 1GN.
Please get in touch if you would like me to write about an art event near you:
richard@galleryart61.com
www.galleryart61.com
54 The Village October 2018
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