Exhibition Extended

Just a quick note to say that the exhibition of '471 Gems' at Erewash Museum, Ilkeston DE7 5JA has been extended for viewing. The final day that you will be able to search for your name is Saturday 30th October 2021. Erewash Museum is also open every day week commencing 25th October, 11am - 3pm as it is half term.

Special thanks to all essential workers and volunteers.

'471 Gems' at Erewash Museum

A huge thank you to everyone who came to view my artwork ‘471 Gems’ at U Choose Smoothie Bar last Saturday. We took photos, signed cards and celebrated essential workers and volunteers in Erewash. 

You will be pleased to know that ‘471 Gems’ is installed in the 1950’s shop at Erewash Museum until mid October 2021. The shop teaches us about rationing, community and design following the effects of World War II, and poses an interesting juxtaposition with the names of 471 Covid-19 essential workers and volunteers. 

I have a few gift cards left to purchase at £3 each and I will deliver these to Erewash Museum after the Bank Holiday Monday for anyone who would like a keep sake of the project. 

#471Gems #letscreate #madeinderbyshire #erewashmuseum

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NEWS LETTER FOR PARTICIPANTS

Dear Participants,

Thank you for accepting the invitation to have your name included in my lockdown art project for essential workers and volunteers.

The artwork looks amazing and you will be delighted to hear that it will be exhibited in the window of U Choose Smoothie Bar, a local community hub, Café and Art Gallery from Tuesday 10th August until Saturday 21st August 2021. 

U Choose Smoothie Bar,
1 Bath Street, Ilkeston, DE7 8AH 
Opening hours Tuesday - Saturday 9am - 2:30pm, Closed Sunday and Monday.

Saturday 21st August is the last day of the exhibition and my aim is to be at site to meet anyone who is able to attend during the day. I will be in touch again soon with more information about the work and how it has developed over the last 18 months. 

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Coiled Seashell with overlock tabs

I was gifted some overlock bobbins from the Button Factory at Leicester and later discovered that these overlock numbers were used to identify machinists as their textile work went down the line. Any garments that failed quality control could be returned to that specific machinist for alteration or repair. 

Following my visit to the Shell Museum I felt inspired to use these delicate rolls of numbers to copy the rhythm and growth pattern of a seashell, coiling the overlock tabs from small to large and anchoring them down with cotton thread. Also included are 27 mother of pearl buttons made from the inner layer of certain shells. 

99 Used Labels

Due to popular demand I have assembled another 99 with used clothing labels. The used labels are selected from my collection of labels gathered since 2003 from clothing identified as rags. The work measures 88cm high x 72cm wide and is box framed in white behind glass.
NOW SOLD COMMISSIONS WELCOME.

In 2010 I took a photograph of the 1.5 metre plastic ice cream cone standing at the entrance of Cromer Pier. I felt inspired by its exaggerated scale. I printed out the photograph and pinned it to my studio wall with thoughts of making a piece of artwork in response. 10 years later during my preparation for Norfolk Open Studios the Cromer ice cream sculpture came to mind and I began to think about how I could re-fashion this frozen treat with my signature material? How the 99 gained its name is questionable, but it definitely gave me the idea to exchange the soft scoop ice cream with 99 used clothing labels. A simple idea to replace the item being consumed with found materials worn by the consumer. Detail below, click on images to enlarge.

In 2010 I took a photograph of the 1.5 metre plastic ice cream cone standing at the entrance of Cromer Pier. I felt inspired by its exaggerated scale. I printed out the photograph and pinned it to my studio wall with thoughts of making a piece of artwork in response. 10 years later during my preparation for Norfolk Open Studios the Cromer ice cream sculpture came to mind and I began to think about how I could re-fashion this frozen treat with my signature material? 

How the 99 gained its name is questionable, but it definitely gave me the idea to exchange the soft scoop ice cream with 99 used clothing labels. A simple idea to replace the item being consumed with found materials worn by the consumer. Detail below, click on images to enlarge.