Last month, the Society for Embroidered Works held their very first exhibiton dedicated solely to embroidery. The International Contemporary Stitched Art Exhibiton was held in a characterful space in Clerkenwell, the turn out for quite a niche exhibition looked to be pretty good.
‘Despite her strength she remained on guard 1’ 25×21 cm by Christina MacDonald
The exhibition a great cross section of stitched art in its many forms, as you can see from the few photos included here, the range was quite broad so there was a little something to interest everyone.
‘Lady Gaga’ 34×34 cm by Sarah Gwyer
Providing a platform for stitched art is an important step in elevating the stitched art’s status within the artwork as historically it has been downgraded from art and though of more as ‘women’s work’ or ‘home crafts’. Whilst one might argue these terms to be fair, it would be equally fair to say that given the skills and conceptual strenghts of these pieces shown are most certainly ‘art’.
‘A Benediction from the Old World’ 62×46 cm by Kate Tume
Presenting them in this manner is an important part of S.E.W’s bigger mission to ‘redefine’ the stitched arts to a more apropriate status. If you would like to read more about S.E.W’s mission, have a look at their website.
‘Sisters’ 56x72cm by Bridget Steel-Jessop
Given the level of work on display at this first exhibition, we can’t wait to see what they will present to the art world next year!
‘The girl of the Vale’ 33x30cm by Rowena Liley