Our V&A Course Ends on a High - Next Workshop Jan 22nd!

Vivian Hidalgo Nava (l) and Amanda Goode (r)

In our final Ballets Russes class everyone's designs came together.

Inspired by the V&A exhibition with particular focus on the work of Natalia Goncharova and Mikhail Larionov, and their influences, each textile was a true hybrid of slow and fast processes with digital and manual tools.

A new textile horizon emerges that combines history, museum archives, tradition, imagination and interpretation with the latest in digital technology.

Jennifer Glastonbury

Julia Brendel-Lee

Pat Shenstone

Inspiration from Mikhail Larionov's Buffoon costume for Les Ballets Russes production, Chout, 1921, and Goncharova's Le Coq d'Or's Stage curtain, 1914.

Some of Natalia Goncharova's inspiration was ours also.

For instance, Ivan Bilibin, who was introduced in Week 5:

More pics coming..

Join us for similar on January 22nd in West Hampstead, London!

Liberty's scarf link.

Pics from our recent freestyle patchwork workshop:

A co-design discussion followed the making process and products made from post-consumer fabrics will be developed from some of the constellatory ideas. Watch this space!

Co-design workshop in Stitched Portraiture:

Students start by drawing the person opposite in stitch.

Colours are timed to keep the pace up.

After 30 minutes, students give their drawing to its subject to finish off.
The image becomes collaboration.

Stage 1: observed.

Stage 2: self-portrait.

This exercise represents part of a larger exercise introducing co-design systems, group working and participatory design to students.

Derick Melander sculpture

American artist, Derick Melander, is creating some interesting work.

Clothing Loop, 2004

Description:

Seven articles of clothing are drawn and arranged one inside the other, as they are typically worn.

Gather 14, 2003

Description:
A figure wearing a suit is delineated by piercing rag paper with needles and awls of varying diameters.

Slow Textiles at the V&A - week 5

The Goncharova and Larionov Ballets Russes themes begin to find their new landscape in the work of contemporary textile designers.

Here is the work of British artist, Pat Shenstone, as she works on a structured sleeve in class,

and Brazilian designer, Luz Rodriguez as she composes her applique and quilted effect before sewing:

Slow Cards on the Table

Simon Cook Illustration

We recently discovered British illustrator, Simon Cook's collage work and feel somewhat enamored.

His montage effect is like a cross between Mary Blair, El Lissitzky and Memphis.

All his work is generated in paper.

He did these two screen wallpapers for iPhone:

We can feel a workshop coming on.