This blog is now closed, however it will remain online to allow the work to continue to be viewed.
Myself (Jessica Longmore) and the other artists involved, Nina Chua, Jo Lewington, Rachael Kelly, Mandy Tolley and Oli Stanion would like to thank the following people who helped make 'As if by Magic...' a reality: Firstly, Jackie Haynes for providing us with the venue for the exhibition and supporting us through the whole process; Tim McConville for photographing the exhibition and also a particular thank you goes to Nina Chua for project managing the exhibition.
Monday, 15 September 2008
Thursday, 19 June 2008
Friday, 13 June 2008
Mandy Tolley
Green Bird, 2008
Computerised embroidery and screen print on vintage fabric.
Rosy Lips, 2008
Digital print, screen print, computerised embroidery and hand embellishment.
Foxy Beach, 2008
Digital print, screen print, computerised embroidery
Rachael Kelly
Hang-ups and Cover-ups, 2008Nina Chua
Textile installation
Who Are You?, 2008
Rachael Kelly
Collection of objects in display case.
Who Are You?, 2008
Collection of objects in display case.
Collection of objects in display case.
Wednesday, 4 June 2008
...magic happened!
The first thing to catch my eye at the private view was up on the drying rail in-between the wig hangers. Jess’s bird took me straight back to my childhood to a cartoon strip in my dad’s newspaper where every day a bird was hidden somewhere in the cartoon and you had to find it.
This made me realize that this exhibition has a childlike element of Hunt The Thimble about it as you have to seek out the exhibits which don’t jump out at you as they do in a conventional setting Washing day is mainly on Monday, so the birdie gets surrounded by various wigs hung up drying: an ideal habitat for a creature probably made from the same nylon as the wigs!
We’ve been really busy recently completing orders taken from other fancy dress shops at a trade show and on Wednesdays in the shop, I was on the machine, Ali cutting out and Jess fusing and pressing at the ironing board. I thought Jess was quite happy doing this job until I saw that my ironing board had been attached to the ceiling with chains in such a convincing way that that is where it’s staying. Jess - you should’ve said something if you’d had enough of the pressing!
I headed for my comfort zone/ sewing machine to put my own piece up and there it was, Jo’s intricately hand cut topographical landscape of the Peak District placed in probably the most busy place in the shop and guess what? It’s not even glued together! This is a challenging piece of work which gives insight into Jo’s personality in a very subliminal way. Jo is the only person who I’ve ever seen sat on the floor in the shop amongst the fallen pins, wig hair-balls and off-cuts of fabric so I wasn’t surprised to see her rushing water video nestled down in amongst the zebra and tomato costume.
Mondo Mando, in the blue changing room is a true Mr. Ben experience where you step in and get taken on an adventure into Mandy’s World of beautifully embroidered unique creatures doing strange things on psychedelic backgrounds. I especially like the role the changing room mirrors play as they draw you in for a closer look, when the curtain is partially drawn back.
Over to the usually cluttered window, which has been stripped bare of everything except the glass and the signage, to Rachel’s two idiosyncratic boxes of highly personal items which give you the impression of an introvert until, like I did, you get an impression that in that fairy tale way, when the shop is closed, the boxes sprout legs and start doing high kicks all along the window ledge. Not only that, but did Nina really artfully arrange the display dummies on the floor like that or did Rachels leggy boxes boot them out of the window and throw some cloths over them?
Rachel must have a soft spot for Oli’s work as his is the only other piece occupying some window space, albeit the top right-hand corner. This piece of work, a beautifully designed, cut and constructed flying angel of a coat, accompanied by stunning photographs of his muse, Jess, towers overhead, much like Oli himself. Who would’ve thought that this time last year, he was knocking out bloomers (amongst other things!) in his second year of college!
Nina’s second piece; what a discovery, the lung of the building! I’ve asked my landlord not to bother fixing the plaster on the ceiling which came down over a year ago after some heavy rain because Nina has made a feature of it. I would feel a bit spooked out if I had anything to do with the removal of any vital organs, even if it did only belong to a building. For years to come, people will flock to see the black bag attached to a hole in our very attractive ceiling, inflate and deflate, all on its own, no pumps or wind machines: just a naturally occurring breathing phenomenon. I think Nina can take the credit for this as part of the work because if she hadn’t put the bag up there, we never would’ve known about the breathing....
Last but not least and even smaller than the bird is Nina's 3rd piece. A dim sum- looking ball of paraphernalia from Nina’s own studio, held together with wax a neatly placed on the edge of the cutting table, normally a scene of total chaos, the very point where retail outlet meets workroom. I take this as an acknowledgment from Nina, hopefully on behalf of everyone else who works there too, that the shop has to be the way it is because of the variety of jobs that need to be done all on top of each other!
I hope that the concept of this exhibition can be toured ‘Coming to an unlikely venue near you!’ -maybe to Berlin, where everyone seems to have a fixation with. I can see it in a Supermarket or a Bookshop, anywhere really.
I also hope that we can let this exhibition run for a couple more weeks to make sure that everyone can get to see it and also to give the shop chance to ebb and flow around the exhibition.
Thankyou to everyone involved: it’s a great job done well.
This made me realize that this exhibition has a childlike element of Hunt The Thimble about it as you have to seek out the exhibits which don’t jump out at you as they do in a conventional setting Washing day is mainly on Monday, so the birdie gets surrounded by various wigs hung up drying: an ideal habitat for a creature probably made from the same nylon as the wigs!
We’ve been really busy recently completing orders taken from other fancy dress shops at a trade show and on Wednesdays in the shop, I was on the machine, Ali cutting out and Jess fusing and pressing at the ironing board. I thought Jess was quite happy doing this job until I saw that my ironing board had been attached to the ceiling with chains in such a convincing way that that is where it’s staying. Jess - you should’ve said something if you’d had enough of the pressing!
I headed for my comfort zone/ sewing machine to put my own piece up and there it was, Jo’s intricately hand cut topographical landscape of the Peak District placed in probably the most busy place in the shop and guess what? It’s not even glued together! This is a challenging piece of work which gives insight into Jo’s personality in a very subliminal way. Jo is the only person who I’ve ever seen sat on the floor in the shop amongst the fallen pins, wig hair-balls and off-cuts of fabric so I wasn’t surprised to see her rushing water video nestled down in amongst the zebra and tomato costume.
Mondo Mando, in the blue changing room is a true Mr. Ben experience where you step in and get taken on an adventure into Mandy’s World of beautifully embroidered unique creatures doing strange things on psychedelic backgrounds. I especially like the role the changing room mirrors play as they draw you in for a closer look, when the curtain is partially drawn back.
Over to the usually cluttered window, which has been stripped bare of everything except the glass and the signage, to Rachel’s two idiosyncratic boxes of highly personal items which give you the impression of an introvert until, like I did, you get an impression that in that fairy tale way, when the shop is closed, the boxes sprout legs and start doing high kicks all along the window ledge. Not only that, but did Nina really artfully arrange the display dummies on the floor like that or did Rachels leggy boxes boot them out of the window and throw some cloths over them?
Rachel must have a soft spot for Oli’s work as his is the only other piece occupying some window space, albeit the top right-hand corner. This piece of work, a beautifully designed, cut and constructed flying angel of a coat, accompanied by stunning photographs of his muse, Jess, towers overhead, much like Oli himself. Who would’ve thought that this time last year, he was knocking out bloomers (amongst other things!) in his second year of college!
Nina’s second piece; what a discovery, the lung of the building! I’ve asked my landlord not to bother fixing the plaster on the ceiling which came down over a year ago after some heavy rain because Nina has made a feature of it. I would feel a bit spooked out if I had anything to do with the removal of any vital organs, even if it did only belong to a building. For years to come, people will flock to see the black bag attached to a hole in our very attractive ceiling, inflate and deflate, all on its own, no pumps or wind machines: just a naturally occurring breathing phenomenon. I think Nina can take the credit for this as part of the work because if she hadn’t put the bag up there, we never would’ve known about the breathing....
Last but not least and even smaller than the bird is Nina's 3rd piece. A dim sum- looking ball of paraphernalia from Nina’s own studio, held together with wax a neatly placed on the edge of the cutting table, normally a scene of total chaos, the very point where retail outlet meets workroom. I take this as an acknowledgment from Nina, hopefully on behalf of everyone else who works there too, that the shop has to be the way it is because of the variety of jobs that need to be done all on top of each other!
I hope that the concept of this exhibition can be toured ‘Coming to an unlikely venue near you!’ -maybe to Berlin, where everyone seems to have a fixation with. I can see it in a Supermarket or a Bookshop, anywhere really.
I also hope that we can let this exhibition run for a couple more weeks to make sure that everyone can get to see it and also to give the shop chance to ebb and flow around the exhibition.
Thankyou to everyone involved: it’s a great job done well.
Monday, 2 June 2008
as if by magic opening!
One week after the opening, here are images from the exhibition- which continues for another week until June 7th..
Sunday, 25 May 2008
Well, no one ended up sleeping at House of Haynes although it has been a very long day of installing work. The exhibition is looking great but we will all be up early tomorrow morning to finish before the opening.
At the start of today I think most of us were apprehensive about the tight schedule for installing work but actually the process has been much the same as with any other exhibition, debate over space, compromise, anxiety and the pressure of a looming deadline. With this exhibition though, we have the advantage of knowing the space really well and that is a real luxury.
At the start of today I think most of us were apprehensive about the tight schedule for installing work but actually the process has been much the same as with any other exhibition, debate over space, compromise, anxiety and the pressure of a looming deadline. With this exhibition though, we have the advantage of knowing the space really well and that is a real luxury.
with a certain degree of trepidation
It is very early on Sunday morning and I am just about to set off for House of Haynes...to create some work.
Due to the nature of my practice, I generally rely on creating spontaneous pieces of sculpture in the exhibition space. This puts a certain amount of pressure on today, especially as everyone else has to pop in at some point to install their work, and we may end up clambering over each other and getting stressed. I think it is quite likely that I will have to sleep at House of Haynes tonight if no magic happens early on.
Anyway, here goes....
Due to the nature of my practice, I generally rely on creating spontaneous pieces of sculpture in the exhibition space. This puts a certain amount of pressure on today, especially as everyone else has to pop in at some point to install their work, and we may end up clambering over each other and getting stressed. I think it is quite likely that I will have to sleep at House of Haynes tonight if no magic happens early on.
Anyway, here goes....
Saturday, 24 May 2008
ye of little faith- restored!
In the last few days I've been working on a piece thats taking longer than expected. Tonight we met to clean the costume shop, ingesting bleach, peanuts and fig rolls we found lost things (it seems Nina's been searching for!-) a kilt, superman's leggins and a dusty wonderwoman.
The space looks good, its been freed up, we're able to imagine how our work may be in amongst everything, my faith restored after my momentary panic this morning.
I feel excited.. the combination of our six ways of working will be great to see!
(Image: Dovestone Resevoir, taken where my film to be shown in the exhibition was made.)
Friday, 23 May 2008
Introducing the artists...
Nina Chua studied Embroidery at Manchester Metropolitan University graduating in 2002. Since 2004 she has worked as a freelance artist, exhibiting and teaching artist workshops, for Urbis, Manchester Art Gallery, Chinese Arts Centre and many others.
Her work is predominately textile based. Recent exhibitions include Boutique a group show at the Chinese Arts Centre in Manchester and Black and White, Love and Hate a solo textile installation and live art event at the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle.
She is based in Manchester and has worked part time at House of Haynes since 2001.
Rachael Kelly’s degree was in Interactive Arts at Manchester Metropolitan University, finishing in 2002. Since then she has created and worked on her own accessory design/making company named The Millionaires Club.
Her practice is very fashion influenced and is mainly concerned with the personal projected 'image', using photographic performance and site specific installation.
She has worked at House of Hayes for 3 years.
Jo Lewington graduated from BA Embroidery in 2007. She is currently working on a commission for CN4M (community network for Manchester) considering social networks, specifically employment and local economy. Her practice is focused upon an understanding of movement and our relationship to the space we inhabit. Whilst studying in Norway in 2006, she produced installations exploring time through the connotation of making knots, and her work has been closely linked to the sea and water.
Jo Lewington now works predominantly with film and drawing. She is based at Bankley Studios, Levenshulme and has worked at House of Haynes since November 2007.
Jessica Longmore completed a degree in Textile Design in 2002. Since then her work moved away from textiles, towards sculpture. She graduated from an MA in Fine art at Manchester Metropolitan University in 2007 and has recently exhibited in School of Art at Galleria FAFA, Helsinki and Transition at Holden Gallery, Manchester.
Jessica’s work involves spontaneous sculptural responses to the environment she finds herself in. The work often has psychological references, reflected through the interaction of contrasting forms. She is currently based in AWOL studios in Ancoats.
Jessica first started to work for House of Haynes in 2001 and has worked there on and off ever since.
Oli Stanion graduated from a degree in Fashion at Salford University this Summer. His final collection is entiled Sunday Best and takes its inspiration from the English Countryside. Oli will be showing illustrations relating to his fashion collection as part of the exhibition.
Mandy Tolley. After studying Embroidery at Manchester Metropolitan University from ’99-2002, Mandy Tolley became Artist in Residence at City College, Manchester on the Arts Council’s Setting Up Scheme.
During this time her textile work has developed combining digital print with screen print and computerised embroidery to translate ideas drawn from sketchbooks, photographs and found imagery, concentrating on bright colours, bold images and kitsch qualities. These fabric pieces are often worked into by hand using stitch, quilting and embellishment, producing three-dimensional characters as well as textile art pieces. Each art piece depicts an individual story; an insight into an experience, memory or fictional feeling.
Mandy has worked on and off at House of Haynes for over four years.
Her work is predominately textile based. Recent exhibitions include Boutique a group show at the Chinese Arts Centre in Manchester and Black and White, Love and Hate a solo textile installation and live art event at the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle.
She is based in Manchester and has worked part time at House of Haynes since 2001.
Rachael Kelly’s degree was in Interactive Arts at Manchester Metropolitan University, finishing in 2002. Since then she has created and worked on her own accessory design/making company named The Millionaires Club.
Her practice is very fashion influenced and is mainly concerned with the personal projected 'image', using photographic performance and site specific installation.
She has worked at House of Hayes for 3 years.
Jo Lewington graduated from BA Embroidery in 2007. She is currently working on a commission for CN4M (community network for Manchester) considering social networks, specifically employment and local economy. Her practice is focused upon an understanding of movement and our relationship to the space we inhabit. Whilst studying in Norway in 2006, she produced installations exploring time through the connotation of making knots, and her work has been closely linked to the sea and water.
Jo Lewington now works predominantly with film and drawing. She is based at Bankley Studios, Levenshulme and has worked at House of Haynes since November 2007.
Jessica Longmore completed a degree in Textile Design in 2002. Since then her work moved away from textiles, towards sculpture. She graduated from an MA in Fine art at Manchester Metropolitan University in 2007 and has recently exhibited in School of Art at Galleria FAFA, Helsinki and Transition at Holden Gallery, Manchester.
Jessica’s work involves spontaneous sculptural responses to the environment she finds herself in. The work often has psychological references, reflected through the interaction of contrasting forms. She is currently based in AWOL studios in Ancoats.
Jessica first started to work for House of Haynes in 2001 and has worked there on and off ever since.
Oli Stanion graduated from a degree in Fashion at Salford University this Summer. His final collection is entiled Sunday Best and takes its inspiration from the English Countryside. Oli will be showing illustrations relating to his fashion collection as part of the exhibition.
Mandy Tolley. After studying Embroidery at Manchester Metropolitan University from ’99-2002, Mandy Tolley became Artist in Residence at City College, Manchester on the Arts Council’s Setting Up Scheme.
During this time her textile work has developed combining digital print with screen print and computerised embroidery to translate ideas drawn from sketchbooks, photographs and found imagery, concentrating on bright colours, bold images and kitsch qualities. These fabric pieces are often worked into by hand using stitch, quilting and embellishment, producing three-dimensional characters as well as textile art pieces. Each art piece depicts an individual story; an insight into an experience, memory or fictional feeling.
Mandy has worked on and off at House of Haynes for over four years.
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