It never ceases to amaze me, for an Island with a population of around 80,000, just how diverse and talented the people are. We have everyone from astronauts to zillionaires, Olympic medalists to West end stars and best selling authors to block buster movie actors to list but a few. So imagine my delight when not one but two very accomplished fabric artists got in touch recently to ask for pages on the Directory! Frances Boyd has been commissioned to produce a fabric design for Christian Lacroix and Alice Fayle’s designs were used in the Autumn/Winter 2015, Resort 2016 and Spring/Summer 2016 collections shown at Milan Fashion Week. I feel very honoured to have them both on the Directory. You can click on their name links to see their pages for yourself but here is a little sample (or should I say swatch…) for you below.
I was a bit early on Saturday for the opening of the new Summer Symphony of Silk Exhibition at the Hodgson Loom Gallery as I called in on the way back to Ramsey from an appointment in Douglas and didn’t really want to do two trips. That’s a real Manx attitude isn’t it? All the way to Laxey! The very lovely Julia Smyth let me have a sneak preview though and it was great to have a chat with her before everyone arrived.
We were talking silk and fabrics in general with it being an exhibition of silk paintings and Julia told me about a collaboration or cross over (perhaps a cross-stitch?) between the Mannin Quilters and the Isle of Man Embroiderers which works a bit like the ‘Chinese Whispers’ game. Someone starts off with inspiration for the first piece and once it is created, it gets sent to someone else who produces a piece of work inspired by the first. The second piece (but not the first) then gets sent onto the next person who produces their piece using the second as the inspiration and so it goes on until around a dozen pieces are created. I’m interested to know more about this and would love to see how it works out so if any Quilters or Embroiderers are reading this and know about it or are involved with the project, do please leave a comment or get in touch. I first came across the Mannin Quilters at the Isle of Man Art Festival over the May bank holiday weekend and it was quite a revelation to me – I had no idea that so many people did quilting and the work was just fabulous. I do like the idea of things being beautiful as well as practical.
The Summer Symphony of Silk exhibition has been beautifully curated by Julia. Jean Buck, who teaches silk painting, is wonderfully talented and several of her works in particular caught my eye as did the lovely ‘Sails’ picture by Anne Cannell (below). The medium produces very colourful and vibrant pictures. Do go along and take a look and don’t forget to take your wallet or purse with you because you will be kicking yourself if you don’t. Here are a few of the pictures to whet your appetite.
It was good to hear from Studio 42 on FB this week. Eben unfortunately had a serious car accident but is now back in action and introduced his new exhibition featuring Win Norton and Catherine James which opens on 5th August with the preview night on 4th August, 6.30-8.30pm. All welcome.
Neb was on the mark this week with his ‘Pokemon Go’ cartoon. Nice one Andy! Look out for the ‘Neb and Nonsense‘ posts on the Directory which are published on Wednesdays.
Isle of Man Creative Industries is holding its fifth public meeting at Noa Bakehouse on Thursday this week commencing at 6pm.
It will be an opportunity to hear about two projects: Isle of Architecture http://
MakeMarket is a Creative Industries Takeover at Douglas Market Hall featuring a summer programme of hands-on workshops, demos, talks, pop-up studios and practical advice for established or aspiring creatives and anyone interested in the creative use of space. Make Market launches at the end of July 2016 in the Island’s original Market Hall – a central location in Douglas and former heartbeat of the community. Don’t miss this exciting line-up of events. It’s free and there for everyone to enjoy and be involved!
MakeMarket focuses on creativity and how it stimulates the surrounding economy. A shared space where anyone can learn about and be involved in creative thinking, design and problem solving. A space where ideas come together and resources are shared. A thought factory where ideas flourish.
A place to make, discuss, market and exhibit skills.
The very talented Hebe Atzori is back on the island after her travels and she posted up this video. She says she is super excited to be collaborating with Claire Christian Couture Ltd – the video is of Hebe drawing up ideas at the studio.
Dates for your Diary:
Tuesday 26th July, 10.30am, Screen Printing Workshop at The Isle Gallery (a couple of places left)
Thursday 28th July, 6pm, Noa Bakehouse – Isle of Man Creative Industries Fifth Public Meeting
Thursday 28th – Sat 30th July – Make Market at the Douglas Market Hall
Friday 29th July – 2pm – me and Juan Moore on the Women Today programme, Manx Radio
Sunday 31st July, 2pm, Juan Moore’s ‘Odd Days’ Exhibition – meet the artist at The Isle Gallery
Wednesday 3rd – Sunday 7th August – Katy Mitchell – Potter-in-Residence at the Market Hall
Thursday 4th August, 6.30pm-8.30pm, Summer Show preview at Studio 42, Port St. Mary
Weekend of 5th, 6th, 7th August, 10am-4pm, Art in the Park, Villa Marina Gardens
In case you have been missing it, here are a few images I’ve saved from social media over the past week for your delectation. Click on the pictures to open in the Lightbox. Enjoy.
If you enjoy these news updates, please Share them with your friends and colleagues on FB and Linkedin to help raise awareness of our very talented local Artists.
Have a great week!
Jane
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