We are delighted to announce that at our Annual General Meeting on May 19th at 2pm to which all members of Felt makers Ireland are invited we will host our guest speaker, Caroline Schofield.

Ahead of this talk which we are very excited about we went out to Caroline and asked her to answer just a few little questions. We hope you enjoy this interview and we hope that many of our members will join the committee on May 19^th in St Andrews C of I parish hall, Lucan for the A.G.M when we will be able to listen to Caroline speak about her recent work and career.

Tell us a little about you as a person? E.g. upbringing/ where you work etc?

I live in Kilkenny and currently have a studio in Thomastown in Co. Kilkenny.

Belief 2014 photo credit Sylvain Deleu

Belief 2014 photo credit Sylvain Deleu

Tell us a little about you and your journey in textiles/ arts/crafts.

I come from a long line of Dyers. My Great, Great Grandfather was a Master Dyer in Yorkshire and specialised in dyeing the colour red for the Soldiers Uniform. My Great Grandfather specialised in indigo dye and came to Kilkenny to work in the Woollen Mills. My Grandfather, Dad and Brother all studied Textile Management in Leicester University. I broke out and went to art college in NCAD….and studied Textiles!

Tell us about your personal process, from conception to creation and what is your motivation?

My process involves lots of drawing and playing with materials. My studio walls become a sketchbook. I love the play time and the chasing of a new idea. I am not so mad about actually having to make the work! As an artist friend once said to me “the idea is often enough”!

Hanging my work is important. The shadow it creates is as important as the physical work.

What currently inspires you? Is there a project you are working on or something in your past you are particularly proud of?

I was artist in residence In Waterford Healing Arts Trust (WHAT) in 2016. That residency has moved me and my work into a more socially engaged practice. Currently I am working on a project called Open Gallery with WHAT. It’s a project where we introduce the art collection from University Hospital Waterford onto the wards for patients living with Dementia and their family/carers. I am particularly interested in working with people through the mediums of Textiles/Making and Art creating meaningful conversations and new memories. This week I am inspired by felted bird pods made by patients living with Dementia which are hanging in their hospital garden.

You can learn more about Caroline’s impressive work at her website:

https://carolineschofield.ie/about/

Other useful links: http://www.waterfordhealingarts.com/artists/caroline-schofield/