Angharad Barlow: Exhibitions

A Darn Good Yarn

Greenhill Arts, Moretonhampstead
April 27th-June 23rd 2016

AbeySmallcombe, Angharad Barlow, Susie Gillespie, Nicola Kathrens, Gladys Paulus, Sam Pickard, Solidwool, Sally Vergette, Jenny Wilkinson

From furniture to knitwear, prehistoric to discarded textiles, homespun fleece to natural dyes, a Darn Good Yarn dances with more than one fillip of quirkiness. Expect a dose of the theatrical, a slice of innovative contemporary craft and a backbone of tradition.

Moretonhampstead’s past as a major centre for the wool trade threads into this celebratory exhibition of textiles, contributing to theongoing conversation concerning the environment, sustainability, and textile production. Curators Veronica Gould and Yuli Somme have “dedicated the space to small enterprises; solo makers and groups working together”.

Expect unique weavings, felt, furniture, knits, clothes un-made and re-made. They, and Green Hill Arts, have been given this chance to show the rest of us what is possible.

The programme includes talks, workshops and events and the gallery shop will be stocked to tempt, with work from a host of makers: beautiful hand-made bags, exquisite printed scarves and more.

The Foresters Daughter

The first showing of a new piece of work inspired by childhood stories and imagination. Where old and everyday items become the dressing up box of a faery tale.

Referencing traditional quilting techniques from this culture and others such as Khadi and Boro.

The Forrester's Daughter

Vintage handmade quilt, repaired and patched with printed and machine embroidered insects turned into a pinafore dress with train.

The Forrester's Daughter - detail

I have a passion for old and handmade fabrics which hark to times when cloth and craft was valued deeply. Every scrap was recycled and re-purposed.The fibres hold the stories of those many hands that worked them, often through generations.