Curious Creatures with Priscilla Edwards
The Artist
Priscilla Edwards began creating sculptural textiles while studying embroidery at Manchester Metropolitan University during the 1990’s. It was here she was encouraged to nurture her love of found materials and transform the lost and overlooked into arresting works of art. These charming yet slightly dark fairy-tale like sculptures transcend the familiar qualities of the original materials and capture Priscilla’s perceptions of beauty, fragility and intrigue.
Once drawn into her enchanting world of afternoon tea, angelic angels and faux flora its hard to not to be captivated by Priscilla’s inquisitive imagination. Over the past 20 years Priscilla has a developed unique range of manipulation methods fusing together a collective of structures and surfaces. She loves to share her passion for textile sculpture and has taught in many textile departments in Adult, Further and Higher Education across the UK. Other teaching includes workshops, short courses and presentations about her practice.
During this workshop Priscilla will share her inspiration and techniques inviting you so take a peek into her world of making and create a piece for yourself. She will also be bringing along signed copies of her recently published book ‘Sculptural Textile Art’ if you wish to purchase one on the day.
The Workshop
Explore the extraordinary possibilities of working with lightweight wire to create a figurative piece that incorporates found ceramics. During the workshop Priscilla will share with you her unique combination of creative techniques showing you how to shape wire by simply using pliers and fingertip manipulation to make a structure. You will be shown how to incorporate into your sculpture either - vintage doll parts, pieces of a china ornament or both. Priscilla will than explore the process of applying layers of silk and wax to your piece - this can than be embellished by adding stitching, touches of paper, paint, buttons, broken jewellery, beads and anything else you may like to add.
As the sculptures develop you will see their distinct characters unfolding and becoming your own creations. Repurposing materials is hugely rewarding as it allows you to use fragments of precious fabrics and treasures in your stash producing an original piece that is totally personal and unique to you.
This workshop is aimed to inspire with lots of different, techniques and process so you can develop them in a way that fits in with your own practice. It would suit anyone who enjoys working in a three dimensional way with mixed media techniques. Priscilla will be bringing lots of her own work to the workshop and will talk you through how she puts pieces together, this provides the perfect insight into her own making and how she develops ideas.
Most equipment and materials are provided and a list of suggested things to bring will be send to you upon booking your place. Please feel free to bring any additional resources you wish to work with; Priscilla always encourages you to develop pieces of work that reflect your ideas.
16 September 2023 10am - 4.30pm
£95 Includes most materials & refreshments. Please bring along lunch or alternatively visit one of the two cafes on site or the award winning farm shop.