Weavers we know – Lucy McMullen

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Andy Ross

Lucy was one of the first people I met in the weaving world, and we spent some time with her both in Arundel where Lucy was one of the ASF Fellows, and also in Shetland. Lucy’s introduction to us was with her fantastic piece, the woven whirlpool, which was commissioned as an art project in London, and uses cooper wire and Shetland wool in an astonishing application of mathematics and design.

To see some pictures of Lucy’s piece, click on this link. It takes you to Laura Thomas’ blog and the first piece you see is the whirlpool.

The piece is now in the collection at ASF Shetland, and I am very happy to bring it out to show visitors. If you would like to see it, please contact us and let us know when you are coming up.

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Folk Festival in Cullivoe

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Andy Ross

Last night’s Folk Festival was an absolutely incredible experience in Cullivoe. I did not get tickets for the gig in time and was disappointed because there were some bands that I wanted to hear. However, a text changed all that and I ended up at the front of the hall, sitting with friends and listening to bands from all over the world. We had local folk, stompin’ music from Manran, and the highlight, J P Cormier, a wonderful performer and an incredibly humble musician with amazing talent. Where else in the world could we live on an island and experience music like this?

Folk Festival is always a fantastic experience. It is an entirely voluntary-run event, which puts music on across the islands, and brings the world to Shetland. Congratulations to the committee and the volunteers for the show last night; I am looking forward to tonight’s one in Mossbank and tomorrow’s singing concert in Lerwick.

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Music and patterns

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Andy Ross

I love to hear and work with the links between music and textiles, and this all stems from seeing Fantastia when I was a child. However, a small book I purchased a few years back has me captivated all over again. Harmonograph – a visual introduction to harmony is full of beautiful patterns created by pendulum swings, and demonstrates musical intervals in a simple and elegant way. There are even instructions for making your own Harmonograph on the internet.

This got me thinking about those spirographs that we used to play with and from there to fabrics. Isn’t it amazing how the world connects…

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New book…Stitches and Strokes

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Andy Ross

I have added a new book to the collection at ASF Shetland. Pauliina Turakka Purhonen‘s Stitches and Strokes. Turakka Puhonen’s work needs to be seen to be believed and this is a good second best if you cannot get to the originals.

Originally trained in ceramics, the artist now paints, and creates astonishing sculptures out of cloth and stitch, which feature religion or explore what it is to be human. The sculptures are funny, poignant, powerful and thoughtful, and this book is a joy to read.

The ASF collection is available for reference. To use the collection, give us a call to book some time. 01957 744 355 or email: globalyell@btconnect.com

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And the week that is ahead…

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Andy Ross

Shetland’s Folk Festival week is finally here! I have tickets for the concert in Mossbank and the Singing Concert in town over the weekend, and looking forward hugely.

The Folk Festival is a real highlight in the cultural calendar of the isles. It has been running for years, getting bigger and better each time it runs. Nowhere is missed out in the islands; we are really lucky to have Cullivoe as a venue, and people come from all across the world to participate and to enjoy the weekend. The Festival is entirely volunteer-driven and led, and is an incredible effort to bring the best of folk and world music to our remote and beautiful islands. Thanks folks!

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The weekend that was…

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Andy Ross

This weekend, under a superbly blue sky, we celebrated the launch of the Shetland Gallery next door. A packed room, lovely canapes, wine and chat, all in one place. What a great atmosphere!

And in our studio, we hosted Jennie Atkinson doing inking and stamping workshops. Great fun and I learned a lot about techniques and ideas. I can’t wait for the next workshop…

 

 

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And the step afterwards

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Andy Ross

One of the best ways to get your business confidence up is to sell what you make. Islesburgh Community Centre in Lerwick is going to be running Monday night craft tables along with music and food, and there are a couple of places left. If you would like to display and sell your craft products, get in touch with Dale on 01595 745100 or email at dale.smith@shetland.gov.uk.

 

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Starting a business – first steps

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Andy Ross

Train Shetland is offering a “Starting up in business” course on the 29th, 30th and 31st May…and it’s free!

If you are interested in how to establish a new business or simply want to see if your business idea can become a reality, give the Train Shetland team a call on 0159 744 744 and book a place.

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Art and textiles…

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Andy Ross

This week, I watched an incredible film that is part documentary and part reflection from Werner Herzog, the film-maker.

This image, taken from popular archaeology's site on the web, is of lions that seem to leap out of the rock.

Cave of Forgotten Dreams is an exploration of the amazing Chauvet Cave in southern France where the world’s oldest drawings were discovered. A search on Google brings up lots of really interesting websites and a hint of what it must be like in the cave.

I can imagine that, in the light of fires flickering, the drawings must have seemed alive, and this wonderful film brings some of that atmosphere to us. See the Popular Achaeology website for an article on the cave and some extracts from the film.

We have been lucky enough to see rock art from around the world and there are some fantastic arty folk doing lovely things with rock art; see this website from Zimbabwe and these rock art inspired textiles fromCape Town, South Africa in particular. Shetland prints anyone?

 

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Workshop etiquette

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Andy Ross

There is a really interesting discussion going on in the WeaveTech forum about etiquette for workshops from both the tutors and the attendees viewpoint. One of the list members has come up with a great set of pointers about letting people know any changes well in advance, reminding folk about workshops and events, and useful tips and hints. To see the list, join the WeaveTech forum on Yahoo and scroll down to “No Shows” which started this discussion off.

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