19169
blog,paged,paged-15,stockholm-core-2.4,select-theme-ver-9.5,ajax_fade,page_not_loaded,,qode_menu_center,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-7.9,vc_responsive
February 24, 2020 In Art, Textile Art

Penny Mateer & Martha Wasik

         

Above: Full quilt and detail of ‘Fight the Power! #15 Protest Series. 58 x 77 inches Penny Mater & Martha Wasik

 

Until I saw Penny Mateer’s and Martha Wasik’s quilt I didn’t know about the 1968 Olympics where Americans Tommie Smith and John Carols and Australian Peter Norman made their silent gesture about human rights. Skip forward a generation to recent times and another silent gesture from American Football former quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Inspired by both events, this powerful quilt ‘honours unarmed African-Americans who died at the hands of the police to exemplify Kapepernick’s message and raise awareness.’

As well as this Penny has also created the series #intodaysnews. On the inauguration of President Trump she compiled a daily collage of images from The New York Times all of which are being exhibited.

 

Fight the Power! #15 Protest Series and #intodaysnews and #socialjustice will be exhibited at the Brew House Association (http://brewhousearts.org/gallery/) until March 21st. THIS Revolution Will Not Be Televised #13 Protest Series will be exhibited in the Contemporary Art of Quilting at the Ann Street Gallery (https://www.safe-harbors.org/ann-street-gallery/) March 7th – April 18th.

 

 

January 20, 2020 In Art, Textile Art

The art of batik

 

Using a medium you don’t usually use is always good practice and if you are ever travelling in Malaysia it is the ideal place to do some batik. It is available in many places but very few allow you to do the pouring of the wax which can be a lot harder than painting on the silk or cotton. For those visiting Kuala Lumpur it’s well worth a visit it Jaki Batek. You can choose a design, or do your own, then trace the outline with wax and spend a happy few hours painting.

www.jadibatek.com

January 13, 2020 In Art, Textile Art

Laura Thomas

Laura Thomas, photographed by Mohamed Hassan

 

Laura Thomas has an impressive number of commissions. We asked her advice for other artists interested in being commissioned.

With all the public art commissions I’ve undertaken, I’ve had to apply for them and then when shortlisted, attend an interview to present my proposal in person. It’s essential to put yourself in the shoes of the commissioning organization. What are they looking for? It’s your job to try and figure this out and answer their needs. Analyse the brief so that you understand it inside out back to front. If the brief is sparsely written, then you need to dig deep and find out more before you make your proposal. Do a site visit, understand the practicalities, speak to the project manager and make sure you fully grasp who the end user is. Ensure that your proposal is realistic, coherent, practical and inspiring. You also need to make sure that you as a person inspires confidence. Will you be a pleasure to work with? Can you manage a big budget? Are your costings realistic? Can you lead community engagement activities that so often are a part of public art projects? Think about what the commissioning organsiation needs and wants from the artwork, and make sure you answer it in your proposal.

To find out more about Laura’s beautiful art read her profile here