Emily Jo Gibbs has established an international reputation for her hand-stitched portraits and still-lifes, observing the quiet beauty of the overlooked. Predominantly working with silk organza layered on to linen. Emily enjoys the translucent nature of the silk and the soft colour pallet the layering creates. She stitches in a meticulous way often using tiny stab stitches,
Examples of Emily’s work are in museum collections including V&A and The Crafts Council. She is a member of Contemporary Applied Arts, the 62 Group of Textile Artists and the Artworkers Guild. She is currently Artist in Residence at Trinity Buoy Wharf.
In this workshop you will learn how Emily’s work is constructed. Experiment with composition, using over lapping layers of translucent fabrics to build areas of different colours and tones to create a collage that is the backdrop for your hand stitching.
Using a variety of media including pencil, ink and silk paint, see how you can transfer images on to silk organza. Experiment with mark making with stitch, and experience how stitch length and density changes the quality of the line.
On this workshop you will make a series of test pieces. if you would like to work your own drawings and/or photographs please bring them along.
Working from your own photographs or drawings, you will use layers and pieces of silk organza to build a delicate collage. Once your collage is all tacked together, you will begin to hand stitch in all the details.
Careful consideration and instruction is given to eyes, noses and mouths, with an emphasis on less is more, colour selection and direction and density of stitches.
Class participants will go away with an understanding of how the work is made and will have started a portrait to finish in their own time.
Please bring along your usual sewing kit to include scissors, pins, embroidery scissors etc. If you like to work with a light/magnifier, please bring a cordless battery operated or rechargeable version to avoid trip hazards.
Address:
Corinium Museum
Park Street
Cirencester GL7 2 BX
The nearest train station is Kemble Railway Station (3 miles). Taxis and buses serve the station. See http://www.nationalrail.co.uk or contact National Rail Enquiry Line on 08457 484 950.
Follow the brown signs for Corinium Museum to the Old Station Car Park (GL7 1US), which is about a 2 minute walk from the Museum. Once parked please follow the pedestrian signs.
On the weekends free parking is available at St James Place Headquarters on Old Tetbury Road (GL7 1FP), which is a three minute walk from the Museum.
Further parking is available from the Brewery Car Park (GL7 1HN) and Forum Car Park (GL7 1LJ), which are about a 5-10 minute walk from the Museum.
Please note: The car park pay and display machines are cash-less, payment can be made by card or via the PaybyPhone App.
For more information about what to do and see in Cirencester visit this page. A selection of places to stay can be found here.
We look forward to welcoming you! If you have any questions or queries, please don’t hesitate to ask.
