Showing posts with label collars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label collars. Show all posts

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Up-Front Exhibition, Derby









I have been busy working on new work for Up-Front's next exhibition. This will be at The Beetroot Tree in Derby from 25th July running until 6th September. The bras will be on show but this Exhibition will also include new work that the girls have been working hard on. We had our last meeting before the Summer on Wednesday and everyone's work looks stunning. I thought I would give you a sneak preview of my new work.

It is called "White Collar Work" and was inspired by finding men's detachable collars at a Flea Market earlier this year. I researched the history of the collars and this led me to look at laundry practices in our Grandmother's era. Whilst researching I came across a very old rhyme which goes:-
They that wash on Monday, have all the week to dry;
They that wash on Tuesday, are not so much awry;
They that wash on Wednesday, are not so much to blame;
They that wash on Thursday, wash for shame;
They that wash on Friday, wash in need
And they that wash on Saturday, Oh they are sluts indeed!


So this was the base for my White Collar Work.

It also led to my work with the Pegs - see the banner at the top of the page and I have
developed these into little characters. These are a work in progress but will also be on show at The Beetroot Tree.

So if you are in the Derby area please do pop in and see the Exhibition!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Laundry Day


I recently went to a Flea Market and found some vintage detachable white collars. I had no idea what I was going to do with them but knew they must come home with me.
They were in desperate need of washing so, with heart in my mouth, I found out my scrubbing brush and boiled and scrubbed for England! I must say I did have an easier job than my 1940's counterparts as I used Vanish to help (does that count as cheating?) but the results are amazing.
This has now led to a new body of work based on the 1940's/50's mindset of "Make Do and Mend", focussing on the daily life of the housewife, in particular on laundry routines. Keep your eyes peeled for a sneak preview later.
I have also just received my copy of Artful Blogging Magazine which has some really good articles in this month. I especially found the article by Donna Courtney (http://www.thedecoratedhouse.blogspot.com/) very inspiring.