for Wings, Wood, Weave 2.
George, Jak and I are very happy to be bringing our combination of photography, woodcut prints and woven textiles to the Gardens Gallery in Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham. We think there will be something to interest everyone. You could be amazed by murmurations and murders, have a go at 'Saori' weaving or see how I turn old plywood furniture into woodcut print blocks.
I have been busy working on a new Cheltenham-based print especially for this exhibition - all will be revealed on the 8th November. (If I can keep it secret until then!)
You might find the perfect Christmas gift for someone - prints for the wall, tea towels, cotton tote bags, hand woven lavender bags and cushions.
If you can join us for the middle Saturday 11th November, we'll have drinks, brownies and hopefully singing going on from 2 til 4pm. But any time is great - we're open from 10am until 5pm everyday (apart from the last day Tues 14th, when we close at 1pm).
A bit of background on the artists
George has been a successful world travelling corporate photographer for 30 years. Katie enjoyed time as an Art Director in a local marketing agency, now self-employed and part owner of nursery supplier Early Years Direct. Jak is a writer, walker and self-taught weaver. George, Katie and Jak are all based in Cirencester, and they have explored hands-on or close-to-home creative activities – perhaps a reflection on the odd times we’ve experienced in recent years. Wings Wood Weave was first shown at the Corinium Museum in Cirencester.
George’s subject matter quite literally fell down his chimney one morning when he was woken by the sound of two young Jackdaws trapped inside. After setting the two beautiful birds free his interest grew in these creative and mysterious corvids and inspired a completely different way of working to that of his commercial work. The often fleeting moments that are difficult to see in real-time are shown in stark poetic detail.
Website georgebrooks.net Instagram @georgebrookshotdog
Katie has worked creatively in her day job for over 30 years but has recently taken up woodcut printmaking. She had access to some spare sheets of plywood and plenty of inspiration. The prints are based on Katie’s eclectic mix of retro ceramics, her garden produce and her cat, Darwin – they all have a story behind them. The impressive St John Baptist Church in Cirencester Market Place with its visiting Peregrine Falcons is one of her most popular images. Website ballardcreative.co.uk Instagram @katieballard28
Jak came across ‘Saori’ free-weaving whilst researching 19th-century industry for her second novel. Inspired by her daily walks, Jak captures images of nature, rivers, canals, ever-changing skies, and the architectural details and textures of old buildings. Under the banner ‘Weaving the Wild’ Jak has created fabrics and scarves that represent a season, a mood and an emotional connection – they tell a story. The yarns are natural and each scarf unique.
Website weavingthewild.square.site Instagram @weaving_the_wild
Excited to be part of this new exhibition :)