Kathryn Ward: Artist: April 2011

Friday 29 April 2011

On the theme of Holidays.... and Lace!

The Local Bruges Tipple

I am excited, last week we booked our much needed holiday! I can't wait to go and be sitting in a lovely little french cottage for two whole weeks... So all I can think about is holidays.

I was lucky enough to have a girls holiday in Corfu last July, but apart from that and a couple of sleepless nights in a tent in windy Cornwall, the last time me and the other half got away was just over a year ago to Bruges.

Although we hadn't realised when we decided that Belgium would be our destination, it turned out to be perfect for Rob as they are big on Beer making. Not European lager, but beer. Add to that architecture, boats and chocolate... we had a lovely time!

So, sit back and let me share some of my photos.

Made from chocolate!

I thought the chocolate sculptures were the best part of the chocolate museum, they even had cats!

Cute little restaurant - with chickens!

Bruges is also famous for it's lacemaking history, and on a walk to see the windmills we discovered these beautiful fences. I loved the way you had to get up close to see the detail, and how it blended the city's history with something so functional, contrasting the delicacy of lace with the robust wire fence. I wish all fences were like this!

Lace seems to be following me around lately: The Lace Market gallery in Nottingham (also famous for it's lacemaking history), my trip to Bruges, even the bag of gorgeous lace (probably vintage) that I acquired from my Auntie...

I'm beginning to think that lace isn't a million miles away from crochet in structure, and the forms that I make from it. I think it's calling me to research it more, I have always admired it, but never felt I had the patience to learn to make it.

I recently stumbled across needle lace, up until now I had assumed it was always made with bobbins, so if anyone has any further info for me please send it on!

Besides, what a fitting day to be talking about lace when Kate Middleton is wearing such a stunning example on her wedding dress today! I knew I was looking forward to the Royal Wedding but as soon as I turned the telly on this morning I was absolutely glued! I kind of started to wish I had packed myself off to London to get a glimpse of the couple in the flesh!

So, to finish, a shot of us enjoying the sunshine in front of said fence!

Wednesday 20 April 2011

Lace Market Exhibition - Nottingham

TRESTLE INSTALLATION - Lace Market Gallery

29.5 x 59 x 29.5 inches

Mixed media (Table, Crochet, String, Thread, Card, Wire)

In January I had the wonderful opportunity to exhibit a version of my degree show in Nottingham at the Lace Market Gallery. The gallery is a fantastic resource for students at the NCN college, I didn't get access to anything like this until I went to Uni! Lucky students! Even better is the fact that artists are offered a free exhibition space in return for giving an artists talk or workshop, win - win.

I hoped to have more of a chance to write about my experiences of my very first art exhibition (after University), so perhaps I will return to the topic in future, but most of all I wanted to share my photos!

LACE MARKET WINDOWS

Mixed media (Table, Crochet, String, Thread, Card, Wire)

LACE MARKET WINDOWS

Mixed media (Table, Crochet, String, Thread, Card, Wire)

My Favourite part of the gallery were these amazing windows, when you looked outside you could see down into a narrow nook type thing which was used for storage of wood etc. A last minute decision on installation day to use the curved brick sills to house my objects turned into the perfect illustration of my mission as an artist - to see the world differently.

I loved the way the objects drew people to the windows and in turn prompted them to look outside, taking them beyond the gallery.