Book Arts and Embroidery

Pootling around Colchester last week, I came across three lovely exhibitions showing work which combine two of my creative passions - book arts and hand embroidery.

Book Art | Art Book, an exhibition curated by Paula Macgregor inspired me a great deal with altered books, beautiful bindings, imaginative content, installation pieces, varied materials and in particular, as a large number of bookworks are by my current MA Art, Design and the Book students.

Wendy Allen 2013

Peter Kennedy 2013

I had previously seen one piece of work in the Nine Lives exhibition as a work in progress in the studio of artist Julie Howe.  I was so pleased to come across the finished work in the Nine Lives exhibition room.  In the small space the nine artists had managed to fit huge, emotional and fascination ideas.  The small boxes spilled their contents and objects, words and images combined to create visual narratives of intrigue and interest.

Julie Howe 2013

Ellen Duval

Popping in to the Red Lion Books store I was very pleased to come across the current exhibition by the members of the Colne & Colchester Embroiderers' Guild.  The work is truly skilled and so detailed and exquisite.  Feeling a little off colour on entering the room, I left feeling really positive after viewing an embroidered text piece depicting a flow diagram with questions and answers - all leading to 'Don't worry'.  Wonderful.

I recommend a potter around the town to view these exhibitions yourself (if you are local to Colchester).