w o r k s h o p   l i s t

Destruction: Alteration: Transformation

“Every act of creation is first of all an act of destruction" - Pablo Picasso

You will start with deconstruction - taking an object apart, creating a set of separate components that will inspire drawing, mark-making and printing onto fabric and paper. Objects can be smashed, drawings partially rubbed out, abrased, fragmented, ripped, drawn over, torn, smudged, punched and pierced. Paper can be screwed up, smoothed out, folded, manipulated to the point of destruction. Before reconstruction and transformation into a series of mixed-media collages which incorporate the original components.

Not Quite Kantha

This workshop takes inspiration from Kantha quilting, but you will be pushing the boundaries by working in an experimental and contemporary way.

There will be an emphasis on layering fine pre-used fabrics and simple running stitch. However, this is an experimental workshop and you will be encouraged to exaggerate and distort stitches as well as incorporating other elements such as paper, found objects, wire, pins and tapes. You will be considering methods of distressing and ‘repairing’ as well as layering, trapping and encasing.

Repurpose: Reinvent: Re-present

We will explore the possibilities of reconfiguring old work. Drawings, prints and stitched work can be fragmented and re-joined, reconstructed and re-presented. A series could evolve from one large piece or the dimensions can be drastically altered. You could turn two-dimensional work into three dimensional or two pieces could merge to become one. Areas can be hidden, obliterated, altered, highlighted or erased. Sections can be removed, replaced, over-stitched, ripped then repaired. You just need to be brave, take a chance and see what exciting new work emerges.

Reworking a Book

Having taken many books to charity shops and been politely refused I began to deconstruct them and re-use the paper. Bring along a book that so we can explore the full potential of the paper. Pages will be joined, worked on then used to create new work. They will be painted, printed and drawn on, stained and marked. Marks and drawings could relate to the content of your book. The paper can be scrunched and manipulated. Holes can be made by piercing, punching, cutting or tearing. It can be bonded onto fabric and stitched or folded, made into boxes and envelopes or remade into a series of new books forms. The possibilities are endless.

Ori-Kami – fold, layer and reveal

Inspired by Japanese paper folding you will create a series of marks, drawings and prints on light weight paper and fabric. These will be layered, folded and stitched, inspired by origami techniques. Then you will cut and tear into your piece to reveal the layers below. Small areas can be cut and folded back to reveal random marks underneath. There is some loss of control regarding which marks end up being revealed. This leads to very exciting and unexpected outcomes.

Beyond Repair?

There is something very beautiful and fragile about distressed, worn, patched textiles. You will distress, tear and create holes, marks and stain a variety of fabric and paper. Then you will start to piece, patch and repair a combination of fabric and paper by using both traditional and inventive methods and materials.

You will take inspiration from Japanese Boro where tattered, worn fabric is patched and repaired, using simple running stitches.

This is an experimental and exploratory workshop in which you will make a series of samples which may lead to a larger finished piece of work. The question is how far can you distress a piece of fabric or paper and is it ever beyond repair?

Linear Explorations 

Two days of play exploring the possibilities of line - drawn, painted, printed and stitched lines. You will be working with a limited colour palette and using your own design source on reclaimed papers and fabric. Once the marks have been made you will fragment, cut, tear and alter before reassembling and reconstructing to make a series of small pieces or a large piece that is patched, joined and repaired.

Sketchbook Explorations

This exploratory workshop encourages many different approaches to working in sketchbooks. Working from your chosen design source you will thoroughly explore a theme as you manipulate and alter pages and images, layering and re-working to create a very tactile sketchbook. You will be encouraged to use photographs, collage, text, mark-making, printing, drawing using a wide range of media as well as considering methods of presentation and overall design.

Think Inside the Box

Many of us are collectors and gatherers of ‘things’ - often overlooked, discarded or mundane. You will be asked to bring along your own personal collection of found objects, which will be used to inspire drawing, mark-making, sketching, expressive gestural writing, 3-D constructions and assemblages, handmade books, scrolls, stitched samples and collages.

These separate elements will be edited and presented inside or outside the box, which may remain whole or be deconstructed. Fragments of the original collection may be incorporated.

Consideration will be given to repetition, simplification, wrapping, folding and layering. Stitch will enhance work and act as a joining mechanism. Display and presentation may include the use of labels, envelopes, pockets, parcels and packages.

Material Possibilities

‘You begin with the possibilities of materials’   Robert Rauschenberg

Working from a collection of salvaged materials you will explore the full potential of your chosen materials by folding, twisting, wrapping, stacking, pleating, painting, staining, marking and stitching. Using the power of multiples and repetition to create a series of experimental samples using methods of deconstruction and reconstruction.

Some of these workshops can be adapted as a one day workshop

For further details of the workshops and fees please contact Shelley directly at shelleyrhodes1@gmail.com