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The subject of two textile exhibitions is scheduled to be the topic of an upcoming ARENA program. The collaborative exhibition ‘ROOTS’ by the artists’ group Element15 & poet Jane Clarke, and The Textile Journey Collective’s ‘Beyond Chaos‘ exhibition are scheduled to be on RTE1’s radio program, ARENA, this coming Wednesday, December 4th.
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.
Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.
Two textile organisations, Textile Journey and Element15 Textile Artists, will exhibit at the Coach House Gallery near the Chester Beatty Museum in Dublin.
Textile Journey is an all-Ireland group that unites practitioners at all stages of their careers and with various access needs. Their exhibition, ‘Beyond Chaos,’ is a collection of works highlighting their members’ collaborative spirit. The show includes contributions from collaborations, including an Australian group, Textile Art Community Art Space, based in Melbourne, which celebrates the artistry and craftsmanship of textile work and strengthens the cultural ties between Ireland and Australia. Jane Fox, a member of the Feltmakers Ireland guild, is also a member of this group.
Element15 is a collective based in Co. Kildare. Individual artists develop their own practice in tandem with each other, distinct but connected. Element15’s exhibition, ‘Roots‘, is inspired by the work of Co Wicklow-based poet Jane Clarke. Elaine Peden, a member of the Feltmakers Ireland guild, is also a member of this group.
When: 26th September 2024 until 19th January 2025.
Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.
Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.
Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.
Elaine Peden demonstrating at Bloom 2023 in Phonix Park
Today’s post was written by longtime member and former Guild chair Breda Fay.
What a brilliant start to 2024 with the January Sunday Session – a warm welcome from the committee to an eclectic group – FI members from more than 20 years ago, newbies (one who only arrived in Eire in the last week), and the rest of us.
Elaine Peden treated us to a journey through her creative life. Elaine, who is a nurse, a profession where rules and regulations, timetables and schedules are so important, began her story with how she found the craft of jewellery making. She relished the idea of turning myriads of little beads into a necklace or brooch. She was soon involved in craft fairs, where her work was well received. The confidence gained from this was all important, as Elaine described the confidence needed to become truly creative. “Letting yourself go”, being prepared to enjoy a process rather than having an end product in mind is so liberating.
Wearable Art
It was on a walk through the Phoenix Park that Elaine discovered feltmaking – at the little studio at the Knockmaroon Gate where Sunday Sessions used to be held. Her inquisitive nature caused her to explore where a group of women carrying boxes and bags might be going on a Sunday morning! She was welcomed with open arms. Elaine warmed immediately to this new form of creating and to the makers who willingly shared their skills. Again, it was about transformations that occurred during the process – how wool fibres became a fabric that draped gracefully or held a strong structure depending on the process. It was the 3D structures that particularly interested Elaine, and she honed her craft through attendance at a wide range of Master Classes. While feltmaking required lots of hard physical work, Elaine felt it suited her better than the close, confined work of jewellery making.
More Art
Elaine always had an interest in “found things”, in using things again, in recycling. This interest was accommodated when she joined Element15 in Kildare, a group of individual artists who were developing their own practices, each distinct but also connected. Element 15 artists’ roots were in textiles but evolved to include different materials and processes. Their connection with nature particularly appealed to Elaine, and with great enthusiasm, she looked at making structures that would survive (or might be transformed) in the outdoors. Her description of Mr. Crow and Mr. Deer’s placement in the valley of Jimi Blake’s garden outside Blessington was inspiring.
Mr. Crow – sculpture by Elaine Peden.
Elaine had a range of samples of her work, including Mr. Crow in his gentleman’s jacket and hat. We were able to touch and photograph for future inspiration. Her witty delivery of the topic, including her mention of some of the “disasters”* of her work, was so entertaining that we could still be there listening and giggling.
Three Dimensional Art
Over the years, Elaine has taken many workshops. One of the courses focused on bootmaking. Below is a photo of Breda’s boots, which Elaine humorously referred to in her presentation. Elaine made hers in an uncooperative orange-coloured wool. Her boots are the only piece that she has ever tossed!
The Boots!
Well done, Elaine! And FI committee for a lively Sunday Session. Also, thanks to new guild member Eva Salamon for allowing us to use some of her photographs.
This Sunday, long-time guild member Elaine Peden will share her artwork for our first session of the year.
Elaine is a mixed media, process-led artist who aims to put sustainable practice at the centre of her making.
In her previous works, she used mainly wool fibre as her medium, creating 3D sculptures, wall art, and wearables. Currently, Elaine incorporates found objects, such as timber, rust, and dead stock fabrics, with stitching to create her mixed media pieces.
Please bring a home-baked treat to share with the Sunday Session. There is a member contribution of 5 euros to cover the coffee/tea/hall rental.
Members who cannot attend in person can use the Zoom link, which will be emailed on Friday or Saturday before the session. If the tech elves cooperate, the session will be recorded and will later be uploaded to our YouTube Channel.
On the 14th, the second Sunday of January, Feltmakers Ireland member Elaine Peden will share her artwork for our first Sunday Session of the year.
Elaine is a mixed media, process-led artist trying to put sustainable practice at the centre of her making.
In her previous works, she used mainly wool fibre as her medium, creating 3D sculptures, wall art, and wearables. Elaine currently uses found objects, such as timber, rust, and dead stock fabrics, with stitching to create her mixed media pieces.
Please bring a home-baked treat to share with the Sunday Session. There is a member contribution of 5 euros to cover the coffee/tea/hall rental.
Members who cannot attend in person can use the Zoom link, which will be emailed on Friday or Saturday before the session. If the tech elves cooperate, the session will be recorded and will later be uploaded to our YouTube Channel.
It is that time of year again! Dublin’s Botanic Gardens are hosting a giant sculpture exhibition both indoors and outdoors. This is the 37th year of this exhibition and it is well worth a visit. The gardens are magnificent at this time of year, and you will find all manners of sculptures nestled in among the plants and trees. This is a great way to get children interested in art as it allows a natural interaction with the gardens while looking out for sculptures. It is a fabulous day out when the weather is nice.
This year even more feltmakers are exhibiting so congrats to all and make sure to go visit!
As there are quite a number of feltmakers included there will be two blog posts covering the exhibiting artists. Artists will be listed in the order we have managed to contact them and get their information. If you have not been asked for details but are exhiting in Sculpture in Context, please contact us as there are so many artists involved that we may have missed someone. You will be included in the second part of this blog. This first blog covers the work of Fiona Leech, Tamzen Lundy, Annika Berglund, Ramona Farrelly and element15.
Toxic Tears by Fiona Leech
Bright red spots immediately conjure up recognition of poison and green, in contrast, is synonymous with nature. That is why I chose these colours for my felt hanging sculpture. The concept of this piece is to raise awareness that every rainfall is toxic. It’s called acid rain due to high levels of pollutants in the atmosphere. These toxins are invisible, so I made the piece very visible and tactile for maximum impact.
I am a Dublin based felt and textile artist. I work mainly with wool fibre which is sustainable, bio degradable, renewable and recyclable.
Toxic tears Fiona Leech
We are all connected by Tamzen Lundy
We are all connected is a response to the global refugee crisis, it is symbolic of our Irish diaspora and our tradition of immigration and emigration. The movement of people because of war, economics, and hardship. The red thread that binds and connects these journeys. I have collected beach material from the wild Atlantic way, places of great natural beauty, which are also landing and exit points for long and dangerous journeys. Choosing small glass bottles as if they encase a fragile message to loved ones. One bottle remains empty, to be filled with future hopes.
“No one puts their children in a boat, unless the water is safer than the land” (by Warsan Shire, poet “Home.”) A poem that inspired this work.
The materials used in my piece are fully sustainable. I have used repurposed glass bottles to contain sand ( from Irish beaches… also the component for making glass). The felt tops are 100% wool, from sheep, a fully sustainable, and biodegradable material and the fibre attaching each bottle is linen, plant based, water consumption friendly material.
In my arts practice I endeavour to use materials that are as sustainable as possible. I collect and reuse packaging and I choose wool as my primary medium.
We are all connected Tamzen Lundy
Everyday Moments by Annika Berglund
Covid changed the world. The everyday had to shrink to fit inside square walls. It consisted of the circles we walked inside these walls and the bubbles we embraced.
My work became focused on the immediate and the simple; the confining but protecting square, the circle of the nurturing bubble, the threatening image of the virus.
Felting became both practical during lockdown and symbolic;
wool fibres, through soap, water, rubbing and being knocked around, create connections that hold together to create a very strong fabric of interlocked fibres that cannot be pulled apart again. Cohesion through adversity if you will…”
Everyday Moments – Annika Berglund
Ariadne’s Gift by Ramona Farrelly
At present I am creating work that tries to incorporate the healing process of art.
The idea for this piece comes from a premise that the metaphysical wounds we suffer throughout life provide us with learning that helps us navigate and grow during our time on earth and allows life to become ever more meaningful.
The red vessels represent these wounds and they, put together, form the Chrysalis through which we intrinsically metamorphosise. In Greek mythology, Ariadne’s golden thread which, represents the soul’s knowledge, helped Theseus navigate through the labyrinth and so it is represented here as such.
Ariadne’s Gift – Ramona Farrelly
Kinship by element15
element15 is a collective; individual artists cultivating their practice in tandem with each other, distinct but connected. The sustaining nature of our creative bond is a mirror of a tree’s root system, providing anchorage and sustenance to flourish in a world beset with profound challenges. In many cultures, a red string or thread represents the labyrinth of connections tying together those whose lives intertwine. By working collaboratively on Kinship we use the symbol of the red thread as a visual connection from us to the natural world, from our sculpture into the earth. www.element15.ie
Kinship – element 15
The following are the names of the artists who collaborated on the piece:
Element15 is a collective of 15 textile and mixed media artists. They have used the past year despite all the restrictions of Covid to allow nature to inspire them. They were fortunate to be welcomed into the wonderful gardens of Jimi Blake at Hunting Brook and June Blake’s Garden, to respond to the gardens over the seasons.
The culmination of their work is being shown in an open-air exhibition across the two public gardens. The artworks are integrated into the lush landscaping in the form of an art trail.
Opening Times: Hunting Brook: Weds – Saturday 11 am – 4 pm, entrance fee €8 June Blake’s Garden: Weds – Sunday 11 am – 5 pm, entrance fee €6
On Wednesday last I decided to go and view the art nature combination. It was amazing: the planting display showed off the art to wonderful advantage. A weather proofed catalogue was available on both sites with a map to guide you along the paths, as well as through meadow and woodland, to view each of the art works. Naturally it also included a short artist statement and a description of the work. A great visit for the combo plant/art enthusiast.
Elaine has been a member of Feltmakers ireland for 10 years now. She also exhibits her work with the Element 15 group. Elaine was kind enough to hold a Sunday session on her beading work earlier in the year at the Knockmaroon gate studio. She continues to be active with FI in a voluntary capacity- helping out at workshops etc.
We decided to ask Elaine a few questions about how she became involved in Felt and textiles.
Tell us a little about you as a person?
I work Three days a week as a nurse in TU Dublin the rest of my time is divided up with family friends and my work as a fibre Artist.
Using a needle and thread and stitching with beads comes naturally to me as I embroidered as a child; my mother made our cloths as small children, my grandmother knitted, sewed and in her 80’s started to paint.
My Gran started painting in her 80’s she was self-taught. She painted every day and watching her paint, her ‘oneness‘ immersed in her world of brush and paint, absorbed and content , influenced my work as an artist. She went on to exhibit into her 90’s.
How and when did you start Felting… what is your experience, tell us a little about your journey?
Fifteen years ago while holidaying in the Jersey shore with my family I happened upon Manasquan bead gallery, l signed up for a series of classes with exceptional Bead artists, after emptying my wallet and stuffing my suitcase with glorious vintage and Japanese glass beads in various sizes and shapes I started my journey designing and beading neck pieces, choosing colours and designing patterns in my sleep.
As l don’t have a studio l mainly work from home , for larger projects l have used my dear friend Coleen’s studio and FMI studio .
I mostly work with strong felt making 3D sculptures.
My pieces take between 5- 6 hrs to make. I have exhibited and sold my work at various craft fairs and taken private commissions.
My work is mainly process led l try not to control the process, I let it lead me. While l sometimes sketch and draw plans l mainly work intuitively.
10 yrs ago l spotted a friend packing her car with strange objects, bubble wrap, noodles, towels, intrigued about this l joined her on a trip to Lucan parish hall.
There l saw Maureen Cromer making a white cobweb scarf, the process immediately grabbed me. I was hooked. l filled my bag with fibre.
I became slightly obsessed with learning many felt making techniques. I started using fine merino wool from DHG. My 1st w/shop was with Lyda Rump, an amazing textile Artist making a complex felt bag with multiple resists using Icelandic wool which is one of the fastest and easiest fibres to felt.
I fell in love with strong felt, using multiple resists mounding and shaping the fibres after the fulling stage.
As my creative circle of friends grew my need to experiment with other mediums followed.
Fibre artist, Colleen Prendiville introduced me to stitch various mediums and processes. I joined Element 15 Fibre Arts group.
“Element 15” was originally Naas felt and fibre. The group explored and expanded over the years. We have exhibited in many venues including Carlow arts festival, the Blue Egg gallery, and last year a site specific exhibition at Castletown house.
Tell us about your process from conception to creation and what is your motivation?
My career as a nurse plays a role in my work. After doing a post grad in NUIM (‘Art in a health care setting’). I have worked with Alzheimer’s patients in Brook lodge nursing home and other community projects. I have facilitated felt workshops in a health care setting and my work is about concentrating on the process rather than finished product, this enables creativity to blossom for participants.
I would like to expand on the therapeutic aspect of play, connection to self and others both in my personal work and working in groups.
FMI has organized incredible overseas tutors over the years , sharing ideas with exceptionally talented felting friends and colleagues sharing methods, ‘mishaps’ and working through play in the studio, has been a very rich and creative experience which continues to shape my work.
What currently inspires you? What are you working on now?
I am currently researching poetry and text in preparation for Element 15’s next exhibition in Inniscara Gallery in Rathcoole. I will put this work on hold for a few weeks as l am travelling to Finland in Jamsa to see my piece which was selected as part of the joint exhibition between “Filtti” and Feltmakers Ireland, for our international exhibition … exciting times ahead.
On behalf of Feltmakers Ireland, thank you Elaine for sharing your inspirational story of your life and work, we look forward to seeing your new artworks in your next exhibition.
Elaine has been a member of Feltmakers ireland for 10 years now. She also exhibits her work with the Element 15 group. Elaine was kind enough to hold a Sunday session on her beading work earlier in the year at the Knockmaroon gate studio. She continues to be active with FI in a voluntary capacity- helping out at workshops etc.
Feltmakers Ireland 