Amanda Whewell

unMADE IN ENGLAND

2012-09-15T09:42:00.001+01:00

Come and take a look at my latest projects across at unMADE IN ENGLAND

I have also gone all social media crazy and tweet @unmadeinengland and you can also see me on Facebook

Unwrapping...

2011-10-16T13:45:00.000+01:00

The time has come for the railings to be unwrapped!

'Hello, I'm Still Here' was a temporary installation as part of the New Mills Festival Woolly Wander which is now over, for this year at least.

Over the next few days I will be unwrapping the railings. Each piece of fabric will be kept and used to create another piece of work.

My intention is to create a ball of yarn from the fabric, this will involve plaiting, braiding, stitching and knotting. The messages that are hidden within the railings will become hidden within the ball of yarn. Everything will be kept together and and become the next phase of 'Hello, I'm Still Here'.

Thank You

2011-09-27T01:24:00.000+01:00

Thank you to everyone who came along on Saturday and added to the Railing Wrap, the central woven panel is now complete but there is still some space amongst the knotting and wrapping for more messages and memories to be added.

If you would like to add to it you can take along your own piece of fabric or look out for the bags of bits that will be left out at various times over the next few days..........

'Railing wrap' in the Torrs riverside park

2011-09-23T01:26:00.000+01:00

Join me on Saturday 24 September (12 till 3pm) in the Torrs riverside park to be part of this unique textile installation.

‘Railing wrap’ has caught the imagination of hundreds of people who have joined in to weave, knot and wrap recycled textiles onto the railings in the riverside park – at the same time posting their own private messages on the materials.

This is part of the New Mills festival which culminates with a lantern procession the same evening when the whole town turns out to parade through the Torrs to the sound of pagan drum beats before congregating for a firework display and live music.

New Mills School

2011-09-12T23:58:00.000+01:00

Some great work today by New Mills School down at Torrs Hydro 'wrapping the railings'

New Mills Festival

2011-09-11T23:14:00.000+01:00

As part of this years New Mills Festival art students from New Mills School Business and Enterprise College are working with me to 'wrap the railings' down at Torrs Hydro. We will wrap, knot and weave using re-cycled textiles and over the next week the site will gradually be transformed.

Anyone can join in creating this installation by visiting the Hydro at the following times where I will be on site with everything you need to join in.

Wednesday 14 September 2pm - 6pm

Thursday 15 September 10am - 12pm

The 'railing wrap' forms part of the 'Woolly Wander' trail where artists, local community groups, individual knitters and crafting communities everywhere have collaboratively created the ‘Woolly Wander’: a knitted trail on the streets of New Mills. The whole town is dressed with woollies... look out for the main installation, the car cosy !!

Also on the "Woolly Wander" trail is another collaboration with art students from New Mills High School. The installation is displayed in a tree at the main entrance to the school.

Each pupil was asked to bring in an old item of clothing or fabric to weave into a label to hang outdoors on a tree. The students produced some sophisticated results. The work is not only beautiful but environmentally friendly. Each piece holds a bit of its maker‟s history or a story, name, or sentence in text.

Pupils looked at the traditions of hanging fabric in trees to make a wish for better health or a

prayer. Tibetan prayer flags slowly disintegrate and it is believed that the text and prayer

goes into the universe as it weathers and disappears.

Manchester Degree Show - 2011

2011-06-12T16:48:00.000+01:00

Next week sees the start of the Manchester Degree Show for Creative Practice BA (Hons) exhibiting in Cavendish Building alongside Embroidery - it see's the culmination of three hard years of study, investigation and practice for me.

The Manchester Degree Show celebrates the achievements and talents of final year art and design students. The opening times are for teh general public are and directions can be found on the Manchester Degree show link on this blog :

Saturday 18th June 10am – 4pm
Sunday 19th June 10am – 4pm
Monday 20th June10am – 6pm
Tuesday 21st June10am – 6pm
Wednesday 22nd June 10am – 4pm

The Show is open to the general public and we also welcome schools. Dedicated School Days are on Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st June.

The Degree Show will also coincide with a University Open Day on Wednesday 22nd June.

'At a Tangent' - Oldham Gallery until 11 April

2011-03-06T22:01:00.000+00:00

The 62 Group of professional textile artists includes many with established international reputations. The members’ individual aims are not only to extend their practice by making more expressive work but also to widen viewers’ horizons of their field. Each explores diverse current social, domestic and personal issues.

‘At a Tangent’ at the Oldham Gallery underlines a divergence away from the predictable, as members of The 62 Group take textile art into new and challenging territories. Their message is that textile art should not be ‘comfortable’. The touching point of the tangent is the materials with which the artists work; fibres and filaments such as threads, cane, paper and metal.

In 2012, The 62 Group will celebrate its 50th Anniversary. This exhibition demonstrates the group’s energy and vitality, and their continuing determination to produce innovative, exciting work.

Project eARTh

2011-02-16T22:41:00.000+00:00

These textile wrapped chairs emerged from workshops as part of Project eARTh.

The participants worked with artist Amanda Whewell and also tied in with some outdoor sessions in which the group made an oak bench and a living willow arbour for the wildlife garden in Granby Road Park, Fairfield, Buxton.

The group took inspiration from the 'willow pattern' and chose a blue and white colour scheme. They experimented with paper and fabric weaving, this led to the idea of wrapping some branches with fabric and ultimately the furniture.

Chairs had been chosen so the group could create indoor as well as outdoor seating (the oak bench). The group also tie-dyed fabric to use and combined this with with other found fabric and yarns for the chairs. Red was introduced as a contrast colour on one chair. To accompany the chairs the group also created contemporary wall hangings.

If you would like to see the finsihed chairs they are on display at New Mills Original.

Rolf Harris - Manchester

2010-11-28T22:03:00.000+00:00

I'm really looking forward to meeting Rolf Harris next Sunday in Manchester for a preview of his new wildlife collection.

He's been a hero of mine for many years and his signed photograph sits proudly on the wall of my studio at home.

For more details follow this link

Buxton Art Trail

2010-07-08T16:30:00.000+01:00

This weekend as part of the Buxton Festival Fringe 2010 Buxton will be hosting the Buxton Art Trail at 34 venues throughout the town - maps will be available at various places around the town and from the Opera House.

I will be at 'Nats Kitchen' on Market Street where I will be displaying some of my recent work created in conjunction with my projects at Manchester University.

Hope to see some of you there.

Profusion at Calke Abbey

2010-06-11T20:13:00.000+01:00

In July I will be at Calke Abbey as part of the Profusion exhibition talking to visitors who will be there to view artwork from a whole host of acclaimed International artists including :

Anna Barham • Karla Black • Marcel Broodthaers
Lucy Clout • Clem Crosby • Jimmie Durham
Mark Fairnington • Doug Fishbone • Martino Gamper
Roger Hiorns • John Plowman • Daniel Silver
Harald Smykla • Jack Strange

The exhibition runs from 19 June through to the 11 July and is set to be a really popular event

Amandas Summer Workshops

2010-06-03T14:41:00.000+01:00

A new set of exciting workshops starts next Thursday at New Mills Original - they can either be booked as a set or as individual sessions - this week I am in Stockholm and finding some inspiration in the many galleries and vintage shops in the city... I look forward to seeing you next week.

TEXTILE ADVENTURES

A series of 4 workshops. Exciting ways with recycled textiles use traditional crafts to transform pre-used fabrics into beautiful and useful items. Learn new skills and recycle. Materials will be provided but please bring any old textiles you have that you would like to work with.

Pre-book preferred, drop in OK if space - price per person £10 per session.
Thursday 10th June 7:0pm – 9:00pm,
Thurs 17th June 7:00pm – 9:00pm,
Thurs 24th June 7:00pm – 9:00pm,
Thurs 1st July 7:00pm – 9:00pm

SKETCHBOOK ADVENTURES
A series of 4 workshops. A mixed media drawing project that will include making your own sketchbook to keep all your work in. Materials included.

Pre-book preferred, drop in OK if space - price per person £10 per session.
Thursday 10th June 10:30am – 12:30pm,
Thurs 17th June 10:30am – 12:30pm,
Thurs 24th June 10:30am – 12:30pm,
Thurs 1st July 10:30am – 12:30pm

Pakistani vehicle art

2010-05-02T22:39:00.000+01:00

The tradition of painting vehicles started so that truck drivers could take pictures that made them happy on long journeys across the country - the tradition has been passed down throughout the generations.

New Mills Primary Schools - Exhibition

2010-04-01T16:06:00.002+01:00

Myself and other local artists from New Mills Original have been working with three local primary schools, Newtown, St.George's and Thornsett.

We are holding an exhibition to celebrate the work produced by the children.

The exhibition will be open from Friday 2 April until Friday 16 April at New Mills Original.

You are welcome to attend the Private Viewing tonight, Thursday 1 April from 4pm to 6pm or come along to view the children's work and the work of many other local artists in the Gallery.

Chris Ofili - Tate Britain

2010-03-14T21:00:00.000+00:00

Had a great day at the Tate Britain in London yesterday visiting Chris Ofili's exhibition which is on until 15 May 2010.

Chris Ofili’s intensely coloured and intricately ornamented paintings are on show at Tate Britain in a major survey of the artist’s career that brings together over 45 paintings, as well as pencil drawings and watercolours from the mid 1990s to today. One of the most acclaimed British painters of his generation, Ofili won the Turner Prize in 1998 and represented Great Britain at the 50th Venice Biennale in 2003.

Ofili has built an international reputation with his works that bridge the sacred and the profane, popular culture and beliefs. His exuberant paintings are renowned for their rich layering and inventive use of media, including balls of elephant dung that punctuate the canvas and support them at their base, as well as glitter, resin, map pins and magazine cut-outs.

'Made in New Mills' - 28 November

2009-12-08T22:27:00.000+00:00

Amanda and Daisy sell their wares at the recent exhibition in New Mills where local artists and crafts people got together to promote and sell locally produced art and craft.

New Mills Christmas Lights Switch-on - Monday 30 November

2009-11-23T11:15:00.001+00:00

New Mills Original will be open for the evening on Monday 30 November for the Christmas Lights Switch-on in New Mills and visitors will be able to come and 'decorate' some candle holders.

There will be lots to see and do around Town - hot food and drink, brass band and carol singing, mulled wine and mince pies, a visit by Father Christmas a fun fair on Market Street as well as events and promotions run by the local shops who will be open late.

4:30-8:00pm Fun fair for all ages on Market Street
6:30-7:00pm Switch-on ceremony at New Mills Town Hall

The Pilkington Lecture

2009-11-14T19:29:00.002+00:00

Title of the Lecture: 'Around the Houses'
Location: Whitworth Art gallery
Speaker: Richard Wentworth, Professor of Sculpture, the Royal College of Art.

A thoroughly enjoyable evening at the Whitworth with some excellent links into my home town of Folkestone

Richard Wentworth, British artist and sculptor, is the newly appointed Professor of Sculpture at the Royal College of Art in London.

Recent exhibition projects have included work for the New Walsall Art Gallery and 'Racinated', a series of ten text plaques in Folkestone's public thoroughfares.

An inveterate collector he curated the Study Studio's 'cabinet of curiosities' for the reopening of the Whitechapel Gallery. He has just presented 'Installation, walking sticks' at the 2009 Venice Biennale.

He has also joined in the protests by major British artists condemning the British Council for abandoning its popular overseas exhibitions and turning its back on young artists.

Title: Racinated
Location: various sites around Folkestone

Racinated, Richard Wentworth’s ten-part deep-blue enamel sign piece, is spread across Folkestone’s promenades, alleyways and avenues. The text on these signs reads like a fusion of poetry and botany, highlighting the provenance of some of Britain’s non-native trees.

Alternatively, it can be understood to allude, via the tree metaphor, to the many migrants who disembark in Folkestone over the centuries to make their homes here or elsewhere in the country.

All change at New Mills Original

2009-11-09T11:21:00.003+00:00

Today sees the first 'All change' at New Mills Original when all the artists change the work they are exhibiting and selling and everything gets re-hung to give an entirely different set of work in the upstairs gallery.

If you haven't visited already, now is the time to do so (some great ideas for Christmas) - and if you have already visited then now is the time to do so again to see a great new collection starting Tuesday 10 November.

Rag Rugs

2009-11-02T23:35:00.006+00:00

A reminder that this Friday (10:30am till 12:30pm) sees the start of several 'Introductory' workshops that will show you how to 'Rag Rug' at New Mills Original - no previous experience is necessary and all 'tools' are provided (see left)

You will quickly find out how relaxing Rag Rugging is whilst at the same time finding a use for those items of clothes that you will never wear again but can't bear to part with !

You can book in advance at New Mills Original or turn up on the day and join in with all the fun !

Workshops

2009-10-16T17:33:00.006+01:00

Some great feedback below from the recent workshops I have run in the past week at New Mills Original.

Take a look at the bottom of the blog for the next series of workshops which are fast filling up.

"Great fun Amanda, I've already booked for the Exploring Drawing workshop"

"Very good, relaxing and freeing the pencil !"

"Was great fun, thank you"

"Excellent class, really enjoyed it"

"Very enjoyable, good fun"

"Enjoyable Hour"

"Very good value"

The big draw - 10 ways to draw and more

2009-10-09T14:29:00.003+01:00

As part of Octobers 'Big Draw' Amanda will be showing you lots of fun ways to get an image down on paper - confidence boosting and inspiring.

More than 10 different ways to draw an object !

Drawings will be done in a sketch book which you can then take away with you to continue working in.

There are two one hour sessions tomorrow at 'New Mills Original' - 10am - 11am and 1:45pm - 2:45pm

Unit 4, Rock Mill Lane, New Mills, High Peak, Derbyshire, SK22 3BN (behind Barclays Bank)

All you need is £2.50 per person and everything else is included !

Art from school workshops

2009-09-25T13:58:00.011+01:00

Underwater mobiles from recycled materials - Y6

Joseph's multi colour dream coat from plastic bags - whole school

Apples and Pears painting - Reception

World War II interactive display - Y2

Melon and Kiwi wall hanging, applique and embroidery - Y6

Weaving - Y1

Weaving with mystery objects - Y1

Indian designs with Batik - Y5

Aboriginal print making and painting - Y4

Flower painting - Reception

New Mills Original - launch weekend

2009-08-25T21:14:00.004+01:00

Over the next few weeks, starting 10 October with 'the Big Draw', I will be running a series of taster sessions, including fun drawing sessions and rag rug creation - you can get further details either from the New Mills Original website or come along to the launch weekend.

Launching over the August Bank Holiday Weekend, New Mills Original is a new venture that aims to help local people establish themselves as creative professionals and bring arts, crafts and other creative work to a wider audience at more affordable prices.

As a Community Interest Company, New Mills Original is set up differently to commercial galleries, and is run and staffed by volunteers. "We are able to charge our contributors much lower commission and fees" says Angela Fuggle, one of the Directors, "so they get a fair reward for their work but products and workshops are priced within reach of most of us"'

Thanks to links with Buxton Film, New Mills Original has a series of free screenings of original short films by local film makers during its launch weekend. To celebrate the opening, the first 200 visitors will also be offered a locally-made mini-cup cake, so why not pop in to see whats on offer, talk about getting involved or find out about becoming and "Original Friend".

New Mills Originals launch weekend runs from 10am on Friday 28 August to 6pm on Bank Holiday Monday, and they can be found to the rear of Barclays bank, off Union Road in the Centre of New Mills.