Jane Walkley's sculptural woven tapestries

Jane’s gallery at the Harrogate Knit & Stitch show was titled ‘Material Traces of Our Industrial North’ and it was totally fascinating; both the items, the history and the textures of the pieces, which is something that always seems to draw me in.

The pieces on show in Harrogate ‘reflects the regeneration of textile mills in the North of England - sites that hold layers of memory, loss and transformation.’ The blurb goes on to say that Jane ‘questions whether site-specific interactions can help bridge the gap between memory, attachment and place in the absence of the workplace activities that once took place in these repurposed buildings.’

Work is centred in Sunny Bank Mills in West Yorkshire which ceased textile production in 2008 and the industrial pumps, looms, hardware and tools were left in place. Jane takes clay impressions from the mill artefacts creating moulds to cast an eco-resin to replicate the intricate details, which she then weaves to produce these sculptural pieces and highlight the emotional and physical connections that bind communities to their past.

There’s so much more on this subject and the best place to explore this further is on Jane’s own website. The pieces I’m sharing here, had me fascinated - their link to the past, their tactile-ness (though I promise I didn’t touch), and the process of how they’re made and came about.

JANE WALKLEY

JANE WALKLEY

Each piece has I’m sure it’s own story, and I was torn between those with colour and those which were monochrome. I loved the free flowing pieces, but this framed piece showed how easily these artworks could be included in a more conventional framing.

JANE WALKLEY

JANE WALKLEY

I loved the bobbins and the cogs, and they had an almost jewellery-like feel to them. This blue piece caught my eye across the gallery, and these were the pieces I most wanted to touch (but resisted).

JANE WALKLEY

JANE WALKLEY

But it was the one above that had I to choose one, I’d choose. It’s simply just gorgeous, isn’t it?

Marian Jazmik's textured art

Marian’s gallery at the Harrogate Knit & Stitch show was titled ‘Overlooked’ and it struck me that absolutely nothing about her work is overlooked at all, there’s so much detail it’s like she relishes in the small stuff - and there’s nothing wrong with that. So it wasn’t a surprise to read on her website that she captures everything “from the far stretching view to the smallest area of texture seen upon a tree or rock.”

It’s safe to say I was both mesmerised and intrigued by the art, and while I have no idea how she creates such intricate pieces I can definitely admire them.

From afar they look interesting and draw you in, then when you’re closer looking at the detail you can’t truly believe how much detail there is.

The square and oblong pieces were stunning, and then I saw the circular almost wreath-like display. Clearly they’re not for your front door, unless no one ever passes by your front door or if it’s entirely secure I guess, but they are stunning.

And I love that there’s tiny buttons and threads in the one above. I don’t think my eyes would ever get bored of admiring any of this artwork, what about you?

Anne Kelly's textile collage covered objects

These are definitely in the more is more category, and also it’s true that the more you look the more you see - and they are fascinating for both of those reasons. I saw these pieces in Anne Kelly’s ‘Object Series’ at the Harrogate Knit & Stitch show and I was mesmerised.

PART OF THE OBJECT SERIES, ANNE KELLY

The blurb explaining these pieces was one of the best I’ve seen. It simply said:

I like to cover objects with textile collage and see them take on a new character and meaning.

SOME OF THE 'COVERED OBJECTS' BY ANNE KELLY

It’s simply explained, but so accurate, as they do.

FAMILY CASE, ANNE KELLY

I was particularly taken with the ‘Peacock Sewing Basket’ as I have many photos from different angles, so I know I was. I think my fascination was also because it’s totally transformed one of those ubiquitous woven plastic work boxes that I now quite often see in charity shops, but back in the day they were The Thing to have!

PEACOCK SEWING BASKET, ANNE KELLY

PEACOCK SEWING BASKET, ANNE KELLY

The peacock embroidery is pretty eye-catchingly special too isn’t it?

And there was more exquisite gorgeousness and more covered boxes in this enclosed display cabinet. Just as well as it was enclosed as I think these are just screaming out to be touched, or stroked, in admiration.

COVERED BOXES, ANNE KELLY

There were also some mixed media textile collages on display, and I’m including a couple of these here too. This one was inspired by a picnic stop in France enroute to a class she was teaching.

PICNIC STOP LIMOGES, ANNE KELLY

This second one depicts her artist friends ‘at home with their collections and garden’ - so literal but also so interesting.

J&K AT HOME, ANNE KELLY