Textile art exhibition heads to cathedral
The sensitive subject of bereavement is the theme of a textile art exhibition by a lecturer from the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) at Epsom.
Jules Findley, course leader in BA (Hons) Fashion Promotion & Imaging, has created four installations for LOSS - a unique installation at Chichester Cathedral which runs from 18 February to 29 March 2012.
In collaboration with textile artist Alice Kettle, the pair have used a variety of media, including ripped taffeta, knitted baby clothes and strong machine stitching on a large scale.
Jules Findley said: "When I embarked on this project, I never imagined how large it would get in terms of the size of installations and support from the public. Apart from the initial research funds I received from UCA, who helped me get this project off the ground, I have had involvement from organisations, such as the RSA, Winston's Wish and several other bereavement charities.
"Being able to collaborate with Alice Kettle on this project has been inspirational. The subject matter is profound and the treatment of this needed to be sensitive and thoughtful so it has been a real learning process for us in practice ethics. All the pieces and words have been vetted by the Cathedral for the exhibition.
"It's a privilege to be able to show our work at Chichester Cathedral among historical pieces by famous artists such as Chagall, John Piper and Graham Sutherland."
Alice Kettle uses the impact of global events such as the Japanese earthquake and Tsunami in 2011 as her subjects, while Jules Findley's inspiration comes from a domestic view of loss.
"Loss comes in many guises and implicit in loss is the process of grieving," added Jules. "The work in this exhibition explores issues associated with particular loss, which may resonate with a shared and wider experience.
"For example, a huge 10m x10m curtain made out of strips of taffeta introduces the public to the exhibition in the North Transept and makes the visitor consider passage, the idea of passing through."
After the exhibition finishes at Chichester Cathedral, the artists hope the project will tour.
Jules Findley said: "It has been a pleasure to work with everyone at the Cathedral on this project, and I hope they receive a positive response from the public in raising awareness to a taboo subject.
"I am incredibly grateful for all the support I have received from friends and colleagues, as I couldn't have done it otherwise. We've received such a good response, we're already looking to take the exhibition to Europe."
For more on Loss, visit www.lossandlove.co.uk or http://facebook.com/LOSSandLOVE Twitter @LOSSandLOVE
For more information contact:
David Reilly, Press Officer, UCA
T: 01252 892939
E: dreilly@ucreative.ac.uk
