Website Design Tony Knox, All images the copyright of the artist.

 

ARTISTS

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B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Select the individual artist below for professional information.

S

Elizabeth Smith

Tel. No.: 01942 205 647
Mobile:  
E-mail: elizaberthrfsmith@blueyonder.co.uk
Website:  
Gallery
 
Mermaid's Purse (detail), 2008
 
Colony I, 2010
 
Colony I (detail) 2010   Though I Sang in My Chains Like the Sea:2007, at Samlesbury Hall 2009

 

 
Erratic I, 2009
 
Strange Fruit , 2008/9

 

Christmas decorations 2005
In the Garden (detail) 2006
Viridiflora (detail) 2004
Words and Music, with Hindley Ladies' Friendly Circle 2006

 

Artist Statement

Elizabeth’s work is a celebration of the every day, the small, the overlooked. She takes inspiration from natural forms, from the manmade environment and from the folk art of many cultures, drawing on the past heritage of stitching to create original contemporary work. Elizabeth’s work explores the cultural meanings of stitch as well as the possibilities textiles offer for creating form and texture. Collaborative work and designs that reflects daily life and the local environment are part of the heritage of stitching and find a natural place in Elizabeth’s community based work.

2007
 
Recent project by
Elizabeth Smith
Daisy Chain Stitchers and the children of St James C of E School Worsley Mesnes, supported by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust as part of Arts for all 2007

   
 

In her current work Elizabeth combines traditional textile techniques with photographic material and recollection, using the nature of some textile techniques – patching, weaving, knotting, threading – as metaphor for how we and our communities are created out of the varied elements of our past. By setting everyday photographs in richly stitched and patched frameworks for display in a gallery or public context, Elizabeth’s work acknowledges the value of the small rituals with family and friends, the value of recounting one’s experiences and the value of stitching itself.

In her work for festivals and workshops Elizabeth often uses discarded and disposable materials (plastic carrier bags and packaging, seed cases and sticks,….) transforming them into artworks, and acknowledging the role of ephemeral creativity in helping us to celebrates and to feel our place and value in the world.

History of Exhibition and Projects (Selected)

Exhibitions
2010
Knit One, Purl One: Contemporary Knitting and Crochet,Touchstones, Rochdale.
Wigan Open Exhibition, Turnpike Gallery, Leigh.

2009 UK DIY, Turnpike Gallery, Leigh.
A Break with Tradition, Samlesbury Hall, near Preston

2008 Gare SNCF, Angers France.
Espace Welcome, Angers, France.
Stairs Gallery, Turnpike Centre, Leigh.
West Lancashire Open Exhibition, Chapel Gallery, Ormskirk.
Wigan Open Exhibition, Turnpike Gallery, Leigh.


2007 Unbound, Turnpike Gallery, Leigh.
Astley Open Biennial, Astley Hall, Chorley.


2006 Wigan Open Exhibition, Turnpike Gallery, Leigh.
West Lancashire Open Exhibition, Chapel Gallery, Ormskirk. (Textile prize)

2005 Objects of Desire, Turnpike Gallery, Leigh. (Mixed media prize)
West Lancashire Open Exhibition, Chapel Gallery, Ormskirk. (Textile prize)
PastPresentFuture, Turnpike Gallery, Leigh.
Stairs Gallery, Turnpike Centre, Leigh.

2004 Re:generation, Turnpike Gallery, Leigh.
Arts in the Park.

 
Qualifications

Post Graduate Certificate in Education (primary)
University College Chester 1996-1997

City and Guilds Certificate Embroidery (Part I)
Bournville School of Art, Birmingham 1984-1988

BA (Hons) History 2:1
Victoria University of Manchester 1980-1983