Textiles - 62 Group

There's a new exhibition in the Roofspace at Salts Mill, which I very much enjoyed. It is by The 62 Group: 'an artist led organisation' which aims 'to incorporate and challenge the boundaries of textile practice through an ambitious and innovative annual programme of exhibitions'. Since its establishment in 1962, some of the most highly regarded British textile artists have been members of the Group.

The huge, raw, roofspace, little changed since the mill's textile machinery was removed nearly 40 years ago, seemed a very fitting gallery for the works, which were innovative and quite 'raw' in themselves.  The individual works were unlabelled so you had to consult a large catalogue for information, which was a bit of a faff, but being able to move around and through them meant you could really engage with the detail of each piece. 

My first photo is a piece by Ezster Bornemisza, 'Delve and Discover', created using all manner of materials (including acetate film, newsprint and teabags!) She experiments with city maps to explore the theme of urban existence. 

Hannah Lamb is a local artist who has exhibited before in Salts Mill. The piece above, 'Inheritance', is a cyanotype on cotton organdie, with vintage patchwork. Hannah is a textiles teacher and this work explores her years of experience of making and unmaking, stitching and unpicking: repetitive actions that become 'a knowledge of the hands'. 

Helen Yardley's works (above), made from hand-dyed, screen printed and machine embroidered wool felt, are acoustic panels. Inspired by Matisse, abstract shapes are sliced, pieced together and embellished. The grey one on the right references the Cornish coast in its choice of colours. I thought they looked marvellous against the peeling paint and stonework of the mill's wall. 

The grey collage 'Transience' below, by Jan Beaney, also takes inspiration from the coast, specifically Charmouth beach where ledges of rock are eroded and etched, repositories for sand and sea water. 

I'm afraid I couldn't work out the creator of the draped nets, but I did like them. (I'm in a bit of a blue and white phase currently, so perhaps that contributed.) 

Sue Stone created the panels below: 'Integrated'. They are digital prints of artworks she has made for various exhibitions, embellished with appliqué, hand and machine embroidery. A dialogue is created between the front and back of the work, what's visible and what's hidden. 

I didn't find the makers of these pieces either, but they do illustrate the variety of work on show, from more traditional work to the rather avantgarde in materials and concept. I very much enjoyed the exhibition and will go back, I think. It's on until 1 November.