Arts Exhibition
A Virtual Exhibition for 2020
It is with great regret that owing to Covid-19, the group have had to cancel the 2020 Arts Exhibition but everyone involved hopes to be back for 2021.
In the meantime please see below for a sample of the works that the artists have submitted for this virtual exhibition. All the artists involved can be contacted for commissions and sales using the details against each below.
For information about future exhibitions:
Helen Dougall | helen@hdbatik.co.uk | www.hdbatik.co.uk | Lacons Barn, Wattisfield Road, Walsham-le-Willows, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, IP31 3BD
The Walsham Arts and Craft Group are a small group of artists and makers who live in and around Walsham le Willows. Organisational tasks and expenses are shared among the group members.
The group holds an annual exhibition in the Priory Room in November starting with a private viewing followed by three days of public exhibition. Admission is free.
The group produces ceramics, glass, jewellery, batik, metalwork, photography, printmaking and paintings in oil, watercolour, pastel and gouache and all members are pleased to accept commissions.
Exhibition space is limited, therefore only one guest artist can be accommodated each year and given the number of applicants only those living or working in Walsham le Willows can be considered.
At the annual meeting in January, one guest artist is selected for the following November exhibition. If you would like to apply to become the next guest artist for one year, please prepare your application with your name, postal address, phone number and the medium you work in. We would like to see examples of your work, either images sent by email or prints to the address at the top of the page and a short statement which describes your work.
The Artists and Craftspeople…
Diana Calvert
Diana paints in oils. Her favourite subjects are landscapes, predominantly in the Walsham area, still life and flower paintings. She is a member of the New English Art Club which is based at the Mall Galleries in London.
Diana particularly enjoys painting landscapes although the changing light and weather can be challenging as she paints on the spot over three or four days, and not from photographs.
Exhibition 2020
Gillian Crossley Holland
Painting with oil pastels
Gillian enjoys painting the fens of Lopham and Redgrave and the salt marshes and empty coasts of north Norfolk.
In her work Gillian is intrigued by crossing places, reversals and in particular, those views when the earth is no more than a mirror to the sky, she often explores these themes and plays with composition, light and reflections.
Gillian works in oil pastels, which allow her to instantly build up layers and textures and even, as illustrated here, create a monoprint from a painting started in Lopham Fen.
Exhibition 2020
Alison Dane
Jewellery
“I take my inspiration from the colours in the Suffolk countryside and my work reflects the changing seasons. As a keen photographer and gardener, I record the changes around me and enjoy experimenting with the interaction of colour. The colours in my pieces are enhanced and changed, showing versatility when worn with a variety of outfits, both formal and casual. My necklaces and earrings are lightweight, colourful, easy to wear and long lasting and I enjoy developing pieces to reflect the seasons and colours in the High Street.”
Exhibition 2020
Helen Dougall
Batik and paintings in gouache
“I paint and draw landscape, out in the open. I am interested in describing the way light affects different surfaces shining barley fields, sparkling grasses in June and perspective patterns of stubble across fields.
Back in my studio I use these observations to compose batik wall hangings (cotton stretched onto a frame). Fabric is successively dyed and painted with molten wax to define the image. This is repeated several times and finally the wax is removed.
Prints available are high quality commercial reproductions of some of my batiks. Greetings cards, also available.
More work can be seen in my studio
helen@hdbatik.co.uk | www.hdbatik.co.uk
01359 259648
Exhibition 2020
Chris Evans
Etching
“As a freelance illustrator the majority of my work was figurative. Now by contrast, I explore landscape and architecture in my prints. My favourite subjects are coastal scenes especially the variety of shipping from rowing boats to huge container ships.”
“Holiday sketches in Italy, France and the British Isles are all sources of inspiration. Etching is my favourite medium but I also like drypoint and collagraphs”.
Exhibition 2020
Hilary Evans
Printmaking
“I worked as a freelance illustrator before exploring the pleasures and surprises of printmaking. The inspiration for my prints comes from the variety of the natural world, building structures and landscapes. I love colour and patterns and printing gives me the opportunity to explore different colour combinations, consequently I rarely edition my work”.
“Mixes for this weaving developed from a small early autumn field which had been sown with sunflowers, Phacelia and other nectar rich, bee friendly plants. The colours were soft but luminous and the field was buzzing in the sunshine with the bees doing their vital work”.
Exhibition 2020
Gill Grimes
Hand-spinner and knitter
“I learnt to spin and use natural dyes when my children left home. I found it a fascinating hobby. I, also, started knitting. As my husband was exceptionally tall and could never get socks long enough to wear for walking or fishing, I knitted him a pair with a fancy top. I now knit jumpers, hats, scarves etc. in my hand-spun wool but stick to commercial wool, (due to washing) for all my socks.”
Mandy Jaggard
Cast glass
“I am inspired by natural spaces and man-made structures. Earth sciences and the movement of water frequently inspire my work. I like to combine opaque white glass with clear glass, allowing for visual access inside the piece, adding colour before the glass is cast. Surface tension, overspill, and the movement of the glass itself, all play a part in what is to be expected within the cast. A certain amount can be predicted, but an element of surprise is always reserved for when the piece is finally removed from the kiln!””
Exhibition 2020
Peter Rudderham
Metalworker
“I design and make unique metal sculpture and apply artistic techniques to the production of functional items such as gates, weather vanes, arches etc. I am also developing an unusual method of picture painting.”
01359 259 433
Exhibition 2020
Mary-Jane Toulson
Weaver
Mary Jane weaves hard-wearing floor rugs using wool and jute. Each one is unique, with colour contrasts and blends being her speciality.
She, also weaves small-scale pictorial wall hangings using hand-spun wool and natural dyes.
“The importance of bees has been so much in the news recently as pollinators for the successful growth of our food crops and all living plants. Many of the ideas for my rugs and wall hangings come from nature, and the inspiration for the colour”.
Exhibition 2020
Rob Wheeler
Potter
“Some of my work has its roots in nature. The forms and textures often taking their inspiration from fossils and sea life. Classic Chinese forms such as balluster vases are also an influence. Roman and Greek shapes and decoration are also an influence.
Most of this work is produced in white earthenware and then put through the Raku process. Some of the more sculptural work is fired to stoneware.
Antiquities are also an area of interest and I enjoy using influences of Greek and Roman pots.
I also produce a variety of blue and white earthenware and honey glazed commemorative slipware plates. Commissions are always welcomed.”
rob@robwheelerpotter.com | 01359 258 167 | www.robwheelerpotter.com
Exhibition 2020
Gallery of Previous Exhibits
