The last few days have been taken up with setting up and previewing the Fusion Textile Artists Network exhibition at Gallery45 in Felton.
The first of almost monthly events I’m involved in this year, the Fusion show is called Connections. Ten artists are exhibiting new textile artwork developed in response to that one word title.
As with any exhibition, there are little hiccoughs…getting everyone and everything to the gallery on the right day and at the same time, working out the hanging system, finding all the labels and stock sheets…if you’ve ever had to do it you’ll know what I mean!
Unwrapping and sorting the work is always pleasing, seeing what my talented colleagues have created. Underneath the protective layers of cloth and bubble wrap lie examples of hand and machine stitch, beading, dyeing and more.
With only a few hours to get the job done, we clear the space and put the work out around the room.
We try out groupings, thinking about how each work relates to the next and settle upon an order where more muted, tonal pieces gradually lead on to stronger colour palettes.
Then it’s time for the serious step work out – up and down the step ladders hanging and adjusting pieces, using the spirit level to check things are straight and grouping by ‘eye’. Up the ladder, adjust, down the ladder, step back and review…back up the ladder- no wonder my legs feel like they’ve climbed a mountain!
I headed off to do school run duties and print out the labels on card, leaving the others to do final tweaks. I think, we were all pretty pleased with the end result.
The opening event was on Saturday, we got there early to put up the labels and sort out last minute bits and pieces. Then it was time to celebrate with tea and cake 😊. It was lovely to meet and greet people and share the ideas behind the work.
The exhibition shows great variety, demonstrating the versatility of textile media. Fabric, thread and mixed media are used to create abstract, representational, 2D and 3D pieces.
So, that’s the first show of the season up – now I’m back on to preparing for the trade fair at the start of next month.
‘Connections’ is on until the 5th May. If you get to see it please leave a comment in the visitors book- we look forward to reading your views!
Donna Cheshire Textiles 