We had a treat today when Joan Murray gave us a talk about her work called 'Harlequins and Other Ideas. Joan is a tutor at Craven College teaching textiles and fashion. What an inspiring teacher she must be judging by this afternoon.
Joan has work in various museums including the V&A and The Whitworth and has exhibited widely. She spoke to us about her love of fine art, sculpture and dance as well as her mission to inspire her students to work with tone, colour and texture in coming up with new and original ideas. We saw some of her student's work as well as her own.
Student work based on the theme of wheels and crosses:
Subtraction cutting!
Joan showed us some of her beautiful woven and knitted pieces inspired by her travels to far flung places such as Peru and Turkmenistan! Inspirations include birds and cups and saucers!
We were even given a poetry recital and shown two short films, which are on her website.
At the end of her talk Joan showed us the dress she made for her daughter's wedding and the harlequin of the title. What a gorgeous dress! Layers of colours representing the seasons - it's a masterpiece and so beautiful.
Thanks to Joan for a fascinating and inspiring afternoon.
Joan has work in various museums including the V&A and The Whitworth and has exhibited widely. She spoke to us about her love of fine art, sculpture and dance as well as her mission to inspire her students to work with tone, colour and texture in coming up with new and original ideas. We saw some of her student's work as well as her own.
Student work based on the theme of wheels and crosses:
Subtraction cutting!
Joan showed us some of her beautiful woven and knitted pieces inspired by her travels to far flung places such as Peru and Turkmenistan! Inspirations include birds and cups and saucers!
At the end of her talk Joan showed us the dress she made for her daughter's wedding and the harlequin of the title. What a gorgeous dress! Layers of colours representing the seasons - it's a masterpiece and so beautiful.
Thanks to Joan for a fascinating and inspiring afternoon.
(Photos taken and reproduced with the permission of Joan Murray. Images are the property of Skipton Branch of The Embroiderers' Guild)