Lost in Lace

Around the corner from the hustle and bustle of the Christmas Market, there is a wonderful exhibition being held at Birmingham Museum, Lost in Lace. The fountain of all knowledge (Wikipedia) describes lace as being "an openwork fabric, patterned with open holes in the work, made by machine or by hand". This definition encapsulates more than just doilies. The work was varied and outstanding.
One of my particular favourites was the mesmerising Forty Eight by Nils Völker.

Forty Eight from Nils Völker on Vimeo.

I was struck by the haunting After the Dream by Chiharu Shiota. Layers of random black wool trap white dresses. Claustrophobic and gripping.
The Crafts Council created this video to show how the work was created.

Chiharu Shiota installation at Lost in Lace, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery from Crafts Council on Vimeo.

The exhibition is free to visit and on to the 19th of February. I would certainly recommend it.

A trip down south...

Last week we started off by visiting Manchester.
We visited the Craft & Design centre, where I had to use all my stamina to resist buying anything! On display was Threadbare - drawings in thread by Debbie Smyth, who incidentally is in the latest edition of Embroidery.
Then it was south to Birmingham.
I spent 7 years living in brum, so it is a place very close to my heart.
A wander around the city, lead us to the Ikon Gallery, and an exhibition of work originally shown there in the 1970s.
I particularly enjoyed screenprints from Tim Mara.
A walk past our old flat, led us to the RBSA gallery in the jewellery quarter. Beautiful and inspiring works by textile & mixed media artist Stephanie Redfern were displayed in the craft gallery.
From brum, a short trip across to Leicester, to where our friends Amisha and Pun were getting married. A 4 day extravaganza of celebrations, amazing textiles & plenty of delicious food!
Congratulations to the happy couple!