Penguin Art Space
Presents:
美しい絹
Beautiful Silk
By Sharon Symonds - Textile Artist
Penguin Art Space is pleased to present the opening of Beautiful Silk
By local Penguin textile artist; Sharon Symonds.
Since childhood, Sharon Symonds has had a fascination with fabric, its colour texture design and feel. Living next door to dressmaker Betty Cole meant this fascination could be indulged and many a happy hour was spent playing with boxes of scrap satins and silks, brocades and boucle.
At 14 Sharon began her first patchwork - a traditional design but using dress fabrics in place of the usual cottons used in the craft. This was the first of many more traditional patchworks
As well as patchwork, Sharon has experimented with dying fabrics. From this evolved a range of unique hand made children’s clothing, developed in conjunction with Sharon’s close friend Jenny Kite and sold at a stall in the very early days of the Penguin market. Sharon’s first exhibition is only next door from where she and Jenny set up their stall but represents 15 years of evolving design
The demands of a family meant Sharon has had to undertake the path of many artists, holding down a ‘proper’ job with Ability Employment for over 10 years. However this provided the opportunity to visit the country that has so influenced her work... Japan.
A visit to a friend who was teaching in Osaka saw her love for the art and design of traditional Japanese’s clothing blossom. A gift from this friend made of the silk of a kimono lead to the realisation of just what was possible.
Through the wonders of Ebay Sharon is able to procure vintage kimonos that were worn in the 1930 to the 1970’s.
Working in her back yard studio Sharon takes each Kimono apart with the reverence that it was put together and transforms it into modern art.
In the space of 12 months the work has evolved, being far more confident, free flowing and textural, blending the fabrics in ways that showcase the different coloured threads and patterns.
Her first exhibition is a time when Sharon feels the pressure of putting her skills on display as an art piece in its own right rather than the craft work she sold at the market 15 years ago. Each piece will talk to people in a different way and she hopes that each is able to become more than merely a combination of functional fabrics
Exhibition runs from: 31st January – 25th April
Opening: Saturday 13th February 6:30 pm
Penguin Art Space
The Market – Penguin
Corner Arnold & King Edward St Penguin
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