Edrica Huws is one of the most inspiring makers of fibre collage pieces, or patchwork or quilts (whatever you like to call the work). For people who feel that realism of any kind in this medium is to be avoided at all cost, Huws' work should be an eye opener. Realistic work is so often considered to be nothing but 'twee kitsch whereas abstract work is thought of as being "pure". Of course neither is true, you can have bad and good examples of both! Unfortunately there is a tendency for overly cute schmaltzy easily digested realistic work to be very popular, just in the same way that jelly doughnuts with cream and powdered sugar and sprinkles on top are popular!! Or double size cheese hamburgers and giant sodas! Or Elvis on velvet, or the blue lady similarly enthroned, or three plaster flying geese above the fireplace. Familiar, requiring no thought on the viewer's part, sweet to the untrained palate. There are such indelicacies to be found in every medium: painting, quilting, clothing, cooking, gardening and so on.
So please...put on your most elegant clothes, eat a beautiful meal, plant a texture garden and enjoy a video of wonderful pictorial fiber art:
If the above link doesn't play for you, then select and paste
http://youtu.be/Tw58LOGkULU
into your browser.
There are several other you tube videos about this artist, but I love this one because of all the Welsh language which normally you have to visit a pub in North Wales to hear!!
Pictures can be inspiring!!
Elizabeth
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8 comments:
I ordered the book mentioned in the video after you wrote about her many months ago. She is an amazing talent, and I am so surprised that she doesn't get more press in this country. I think my favorite image of hers is the window with the filmy curtains with pots of geraniums...brilliant! Thanks for introducing us to her...
I was in the UK at the time of the exhibition and was able to visit with my sister. A very moving and mind blowing exhibition. A pity how recognition and appreciation often comes after death.
Thank you, Elizabeth.
Thank you so much, Elizabeth! I'll look into getting the book right away. Fanciful reality, what a delight!
Wasn't she brilliant? I have her book and am constantly inspired by her talent and her self confidence to create a new art form.
Thank you for the introduction to Edrica Huws. I'd never heard of her. I'll be looking for the book to discover more.
I was doing some internet searching on E. Huws and came across this article. I was somewhat stunned, but admit I'm not sure what I think. As a fabric artist I was a little miffed, but does she have a point? I'd be interested in your take. I will need to think it over some more myself.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2007/aug/13/art
Well I have a feeling that was Germaine Greer just being herself!! Controversial and probably very tongue in cheek.....and many folk feel that women's work is worth a lot less than men's. Was at an art and craft auction last week and the wood turning (male) went for 10 times what the fiber art (female) did even though the fiber art took a LOT longer to do. I think there's a feeling that anyone can pick up a needle but it takes an expert to work a lathe! If someone can't envisage themselves ever being able to do something they'll value the piece more highly.
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