Back in Staffordshire, and another inspiring day around my favourite local galleries, The Shire Hall Gallery and Unit 12. I have grown up taking inspiration from both of these beautiful locations, so try and get back as much as possible to see their exhibitions/ take part in workshops.
The Shire Hall Gallery
https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/leisure/museumandgalleries/shirehallgalleries/home.asp
The above photographs feature the work of Louise O'Hara, my favourite textiles art (who I believe I have mentioned a number of times during my blog). I am drawn to her unique skill of turning scraps of fabrics and stitching into the most intriguing pieces of art work, especially drawn to the embellishment pieces, for example the lace and buttons.
As well as these pieces, the galleries' current exhibition entitled 'Illuminate', explores the work of artists that create work around light through many mediums including sculpture, installation and photography. Artist Jo Berry caught my eye for her bold patterns and layered imagery. I am not a fan of the colouring, purely on the basis that it doesn't fit in with my preferred colour scheme, but it's the idea that counts. I find this to be an alternative to the layering of paper that is found in Angela Davies' work (in earlier blog post). link to her work:
http://www.joberry.co.uk/index.php/news/article/Illuminate_Exhibition_Shire_Hall_Gallery_Stafford_/
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Unit Twelve
http://www.unittwelve.co.uk
Jennifer Collier's gallery, Unit Twelve has been mentioned many times in this blog. The current feature is the Contemporary Craft Open Art exhibition, with submissions from across all types of art fields.
One piece that really stood out in this exhibition was Alice Fox's 'Pavement Pieces'. I was first drawn to her use of mark-making, which at first looks as though done with brush strokes and rust, however one closer inspection it appears to be absolutely gorgeous hand stitching. I think that this work is influential for both it's colour palette and patchwork appearance.