My work is usually a response to what is going on, within and around me, often involving plants, trees, seeds, land and sky. I am lucky not to have contracted covid but like everyone my life has been seriously affected in many ways.
The way I have constructed my covid pieces, which reflect how covid affects the body, references my late friend Justin Horn who made some exuberant paintings with totally wild, abstract backgrounds with a naturalistic form overlaid. Intertwined with this is a response to having the building made. The lungs piece is a mini patchwork reflecting the roof ( look out for tiny knots worked in copper, just like the roof fixings!)
Another theme I have incorporated is SONGLINES the centrepiece of which is the hoody on the stand, entitled Working on the Building, it is all about having the builders in..
A similarly embellished shirt called Ellan Vannin is for Ian who is Manx at heart having spent most of his formative years there. You can look at the titles and see if you know the song they came from, the tails of the 3D Heart and Lungs have songlines machine embroidered on them. There is a printed list to review if you wish.
Mostly I love colour and luscious fabric but the cool tonal circles are a break from this, being influenced by my drawing classes, simply texture and mark making, demonstrating how stitch changes surface.
You will see hand dyeing and printing (I make my own print blocks), embellishing, layered surfaces, applique, stitching on handmade paper, fabric collage, machine and hand embroidery. There are framed pieces, hangings, cushions, sketchbook covers and artists handmade cards.
I hope you will enjoy my exhibition in its great new surroundings.
Sue Frances
February 2022
North Oxfordshire
I am Sue Frances and have been playing with threads and fabric since childhood, learning first at my mums and nans knees.
Later I trained as an Occupational Therapist encouraging the creative process of others in Art,craft, dance and drama groups. Facilitating the development of Anjali Dance Company for people with learning disabilities was a key time in my career. During a break in said career I returned to education to complete a Foundation in Art and Design, my portfolio was varied but I often used textile to present my ideas whenever possible. Following on from there I developed my practice and skills by attending various classes and workshops. Notably with Sue Green at The Mill Art Centre, Zero 5 Textile Group and Leamington Embroiderers Guild, exhibiting with these and at other venues.
My work has been seen at The N.E.C. Festival of Quilts, at Leamington, Compton Verney, The Heseltine Gallery, The Hayrack Gallery and permanently with Rightangle Art and Artisans in Brackley. I have also frequently participated in Oxfordshire Artweeks.
Since retiring from O.T. I have been happily making and selling work and intend to do so for as long as I can.
Sue France
FebruaryMarch 2022
North Oxfordshire