EAST blog

Lorna's latest work is a real mix of Eastern and Western culture - combining elements of Japanese clothing with graffitti found in Prague. This is art that really deserves it's own cat walk show.

On Friday, I had the good fortune to be invited to the private view of O2 Textiles new exhibition "Bloomin Marvellous" at RHS Garden Hyde Hall. In previous years, when EAST has had exhibitions at Braintree O2 Textiles have exhibited in the Town Hall opposite. Unfortunately this could not happen this year, hence O2 Textiles' new venue.

After a particularly difficult week for me personally, it was truly uplifting to attend this exhibition - birds, flowers, people and flowers were the overwhelming themes but this is certainly an exhibition worth visiting for its riot of colour alone.

The exhibition continues now until Thursday 16 September 2010 - see the 02 textiles website for more information - www.02textiles.co.uk

Of course the exhibition was also a welcome reminder of how close Talking Textiles is now, and in between I have a part of a talk at the Foundling Museum this coming Sunday looking at the foundling tokens, and including the story of Margaret Larney, who also features in my EAST work. All are welcome to this talk and for more information on that go to www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk and look under "Bank Holiday at the Foundling".

Many of the EAST group are use personal life events as a starting point for their work, and for Melinda this has included an area of the world she knows well, but also a piece in celebration of her son's wedding later this year.

This image shows work in progress.

Anne is continuing with the research she used in the EAST @ the Warner Textile Archive to create some stunning vessels and hangings for the TALKING TEXTILES exhibition.

The picture below shows our first glimpse at some of the finished pieces.

Another EAST meeting and it is really amazing now to see the work for Talking Textiles coming together. Even though we have a few weeks to go and there is quite a lot finished, we still have much to do - organising the private view, postcards and publicity, what plinths and shelves are required, written work, the exhibition CD. It is not just about the textile work!

One of the highlights of yesterday's meeting though was seeing Susan's amazing pop up book almost complete. The picture below shows Susan with the paper pattern and since then she has been stiching it altogether. The book is based on the "Seven Ages of Man"

Also - look out for information coming soon on EAST's participation in the Big Draw - a national campaign to get everyone drawing. More information about this should be available after our September meeting.

EAST @ The Warner Textile Archive is now on view at Braintree - Friday 9 July we had our official launch of the exhibition at the archive itself. It was lovely to meet friends old and new and see the exhibition in its new setting. Luckily I was able to take these photographs before the guests arrived.

The exhibition will now run until 30th September 2010 - the archive being open Wednesdays to Fridays 11am to 4pm. Admission charge for adults. The Warner Textile Archive is at Warners Mill, Silks Way, Braintree, CM7 3GB. Telephone 01376 325266. The archive can be opened at other times for groups and researchers by appointment.

In my continuing look at the work of the EAST members for our forthcoming exhibition TALKING TEXTILES, today's blog is about Libby's work.

Libby has used the life and work of the American poet Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) as the inspiration for her new work.

If you wish to learn more about Emily you may be interested in the Emily Dickinson Museum website - emilydickinsonmuseum.org, but I am sure you will also learn a lot about the poet just by talking to Libby. Below is Libby getting ready to tell the EAST group about this fascinating woman and the work it has inspired.

How exciting - our lovely EAST@The Warner Textile Archive is about to be seen by all in it's home gallery!

Last week June and I spent the afternoon at the Archive gallery putting the final touches to the display. Charlotte had already completed most of the hard work - pulling up screens and opening boxes but we still had a chance to fiddle and tweak and even go up the big ladder (carefully of course).

The work looks stunning and just as exciting at it did at the various Knit and Stitch venues last year. How lovely to see it again in this familiar surrounding. For those of you who missed the tour or even if you did catch it but want a little more time and peace and quiet to read all the details on the accompanying panels, then please do take the opportunity to visit the Warner Archive over the summer.

The intention is that the exhibition will go off travelling again in the new year particularly to schools, colleges and galleries that focus on textile heritage and research. So grab a friend and do take make a visit to Braintree. We are so fortunate to have this national treasure in our area and so we must appreciate and use it to it's fullest.

Looking forward to seeing familar and new faces over the next few months.

Photos to follow after the private view - 9th July!

Melinda