Visit Loretto Gallery, Musselburgh, and witness for yourself the ancient art of feltmaking brought up-to-date in a kaleidoscope of colour and texture.
Jenny Mackay, Rosemary Hill, Ann Ross, Ann Williams and Jennifer Alexander have been exhibiting together for many years with fellow members of the International Feltmakers Association but in 2004 they formed their own, smaller group, Fibre X Five.
They have had several exhibitions at a variety of venues including Upfront Gallery, Penrith; Christopher Boyd Gallery, Galashiels and Percy House, Cockermouth.
The linking factor is their love of feltmaking but, as the following images show, their individual styles show a diversity of approaches to their craft.
Jenny Mackay
“I trained in Embroidery and Weaving but the discovery of making felt has allowed me to indulge my passion for texture and colour. All kinds of materials can be brought together to create an infinite variety of artefacts.
“Recently I have become fascinated by the individual fibres that different breeds of sheep produce. This has led me into using the ‘needling technique’ to make my soft tiles.
“Cobweb felt is another technique I have explored and enjoyed.”
Pic: Detail from “Fibres, Fibres, Fibres”, a soft tile from a needle-felted triptych worked by Jenny Mackay.
Rosemary Hill
“In my work I try to explore landscape, both natural and man-made, looking at colour and texture to create a ‘spirit of place’. I am interested in pattern and rhythm especially in creating a harmonious composition. My work seldom confronts issues as I feel that we are brought face to face with these daily in the media. Rather, I try to help people to escape into a more harmonious and uplifting world.
“Inspiration for a lot of my work comes from visits to Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. There are also reminders of quieter Scottish and Chinese landscapes.
“I enjoy the felt-making process of creating an entirely new fabric, blending coloured fibres as a painter mixes colours. I also like the ability to control the design and texture that felt provides and the sculptural forms it can assume. Both hand and machine embroidery can manipulate and enrich the surface and felt can be combined easily with other materials.”
Pic: “On the Li River” by Rosemary Hill. Free-shaped wall hanging inspired by a trip up the Li River in southern China. Handmade felt with hand and machine stitching.
Ann Ross
“In my work I am influenced by the physicality of my surroundings; the ever changing colour palette of the seasons; the moods of the mountains; the texture of the unfolding landscape. In particular I enjoy the changing images of feltmaking, the unpredictability of the outcome.”
Pic: “Sunlight on Suliven” worked by Ann Ross incorporating silk velvets within the merino and linen fibres to capture elements of light and shadow.
Ann Williams
“Living in Africa in the early 1970s gave birth to my love of colour and pattern, and planted the seeds of my fascination with textiles. Further travel enhanced this interest, which I have continued to explore through my growing photographic expertise and expanding computer skills.
“My formal study of embroidery prior to retirement led me to discover felting and, subsequently, to embark on further courses.
“Over the past ten years I have drawn inspiration from my travels and experiences to produce work which evidences this passion for geometric shape, colour and texture. “
Pic: “Consequences”, worked by Ann Williams. A variety of felting and printing techniques to highlight the impact of climate change and evoke the despair haunting much of Africa at this time.
Jennifer Alexander
“I tend to incorporate a variety of plant and animal fibres within my work which encompasses a wide spectrum of felt, paper and silk paper making techniques.
“In recent feltwork I have been using naturally coloured wool from the sheep flock at home - in particular the distinctive speckly greys from the Blue Texels and very dark brown Zwartbles wool for distinctive accessories and items for interiors.
“Natural dyes are often the preferred option for introducing colour and both hand and machine embroidery may feature as appropriate.”
“An’ Cranreuch Cauld” (detail) worked by Jennifer Alexander. Fine felt, hand and machine stitchery.
Fibre x Five Exhibition takes place at Loretto Gallery, Musselburgh, East Lothian from Saturday May 15 – Friday May 28, 2010, open daily 10.30 am – 4 pm.