Textiles tour

Jan 26 2008 by Neil Atkinson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THE colourful and amazing world of textiles has been opened up by a Huddersfield artist.

University of Huddersfield resident artist Jeanette Appleton is celebrating the opening of her first major solo exhibition.

Jeanette, an acclaimed textile artist, saw the opening of her exhibition Sow:Sew at Bankfield Museum in Halifax, where it will remain until March 2 before embarking on a national tour.

Jeanette, who specialises in the felting technique and transformation of materials by hand or industrialprocess, has gained international recognition working on a range of projects, including prestigious commissions from Microsoft and Nokia.

She worked with the University Textile Crafts team in the Department of Design in the School of Art, Design and Architecture, for a year-long residency.

That enabled her to undertake research which explored the boundaries between craft and mass production, and also enhanced the teaching she was able to offer other students.

Penny Macbeth, subject leader in the Department of Design, said: “Jeanette has brought many things to the students at Huddersfield.

“She has emphasised the importance of drawing and the depth of investigation needed to enable them to establish an identity for their own practice.

“She has instilled a quiet confidence in the students and provided them with a unique insight into the life of a professional textile artist.”

Sow:Sew is the product of a long period of research, culminating in her residency at the University of Huddersfield.

It also included research into a range of technologies, cloth and land, sewing and sowing.

Jeanette produced a major collection of work, both from industry and crafts.

After Bankfield Museum, Halifax, the exhibition will continue its UK tour at the following venues:

March 11 to May 2 – John Innes Centre, Norwich; June 6 to August 2 – Myles Meehan Gallery, Darlington; August 9 to 31 – Fairfield Arts and Heritage Centre, Sedbergh; September 6 to November 1 – Gallery Oldham.