Sheila Hicks: Off Grid

I popped over to The Hepworth in Wakefield recently, just in time to see the exhibition of work by Sheila Hicks before it closed. I'm glad I did, as it was a feast for my eyes, senses and camera, full of wonderful colour and texture. Sheila Hicks is an American artist, in her late 80s now, who has over the years explored texture, form and colour using threads and textiles. She has travelled extensively, studying vernacular textile traditions in different communities, observing and collaborating with artists and artisans. Her work crosses the boundaries of art, sculpture, architecture and design and she has made both small-scale 'minimes', as she calls them: experimental works inspired by nature and woven on little hand weaving frames, and huge commissions for prestigious companies and buildings across the world. The exhibition spanned her whole 60 year career and included some new work made especially for this site.