Yep, back at college this week and introduced to a new tutor, Debi, who’s affinity is to textiles in all forms.  She took the 1st year’s through the technique of felt making and their will be developments in felt making next week.  However, is my first piece …

…. and a follow-up piece using a ‘resist’ layer.

The resist [in this case it was a bit of bubble wrap] is placed between layers of wool before the felting process begins.  Once felted there are two distinct layers in part of the piece, which allow one to cut into the felt to reveal, say, lower layers, or pull up parts of the upper – as I have done in the left hand photo; you might just notice the colours of wool in the cut edge.  I suppose one could have a very thick felt with multi resist layers….

I shall try and keep up to date on postings and hopefully have enough pictures.

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Jill and I went to the Whitworth in Manchester this week – they have had two building extensions since I was last there and it is a real winner!  It probably helps that it is free to enter but on leaving one cannot help but feel inclined to make a donation.

The gallery is on two main levels and there are some small floor level changes dealt with by a couple of steps [and ramps for buggies/wheelchairs etc].  It was strange to notice the outside when in the gallery; usually such places are made without windows letting light anywhere near the exhibits but you could still see daylight at the margins.  For some unknown reason that made me feel more comfortable.

Cafe was a delight and good value for money.  Its on the first floor, long, curtained in glass from floor to ceiling, and has large mature trees surrounding it.

The grounds to the rear of the gallery [where there is a new ground level entrance] are well laid out and have elements of prairie planting mixed with low box trees. – plenty of ideas to transfer to the end of our garden.

The Whitworth may be outside the capital but it cannot be called a “provincial” gallery as the range and quality of pieces on display are too good.  Although an exhibition of a textile designer had been taken down the day before we arrived there were exhibitions on fabrics from the first couple of decades of the 1900s, paintings and drawings themed on the battle front of the First World War, wallpapers from the middle of the 1900s, an eclectic hanging of portraits,  an installation by Nico Vascellari of glass and changing light sources, and a large exhibition curated by the artist Elizabeth Price [Turner Prize winner].  Oh and there was a small exhibition about gardens.  More than enough for a day out.

I think that we will be back fairly soon but with so much in one visit, how will we get time to visit  Manchester Art Gallery in the same trip?

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