Bring on 2012!

Since starting a new job I haven't had much time to concentrate on my own work for a few months, but now I'm in the swing of things again. I'm very excited about some upcoming projects I'm starting to work on for 2012 - so watch this space!

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS TO ONE AND ALL!

mainmonkey Prints

I've recently been working on some screen prints for London based designer mainmonkey. The designs are courtesy of mainmonkey and have been made up into cushions, wrapping paper and paper prints. I went to visit mainmonkey's stand at Battersea Arts Centre last weekend. The market really put me in the Christmassy mood.

I will be exhibiting at the Islington Contemporary Art and Design Fair 2011. 21st-23rd October at the Candid Galleries, Angel.
I haven't done any shows for a while so I'm excited to be making again.
Hope to see you there.

http://www.candidarts.net/islington_contemporary_art__and__design_fair.html

Stew spring workshop programme

For more information on the workshops available and to book visit http://www.printtothepeople.com

Happy Fairtrade Fortnight

As it's Fairtrade Fortnight I was asked to sew the message 'LOVE FAIR TRADE' onto bunting for Ganesha, the fairtrade shop where I work. The bunting is made from vintage sari silk by Calcutta Rescue. It looks great in the window and it is being sent to the Fairtrade Foundation so they can make the longest bunting in the world. 

Batik Workshops

In my last week in residence at Tooting Market I held some batik workshops, along side Jeni who was teaching bag making from recycled materials.

With it being half term this week I didn't manage to get much of my own work done and turned into a bit of a creche for the kids of the market traders! For me the residency was about involving the immediate community of market stall holders and local people in participatory workshops, skills sharing and understanding the market heritage. Although at times I felt that the market traders didn't understand our use of space, I really enjoyed getting to know the locals. Conversations around the techniques I was using jogged the memories of some of the locals, as they remembered using batik in Ghana and also in India before they came to England.

Natural Dyeing Workshops at Tooting

I've had a fun week as artist in residence as part of the Tooting Market Project. The natural dyeing workshops were busy and gained lots of interest from passing trade. I get the impression that the market stall holders still have no idea what I'm doing in the space, but everyone is incredibly friendly and have welcomed me into the market. Next week: Batik Workshops on Thursday and Friday.

The Residency Begins

I've begun my residency as part of the Tooting Market Project. I've spent the last two days settling into the space and creating some samples, dyed with madder, weld and turmeric.

I'm finding it interesting being involved with the market and meeting all the characters who work there. There are some great sculpture projects which have already come out of the space - I'm surrounded by giant men made from crates and life-size animals!

The natural dyeing workshops begin tomorrow - come along between 10am and 5pm to see how the work is progressing. Unit 32, Tooting Market, Tooting High Street, London.

Textile Recycling Workshop

Over the weekend I was running a textile recycling workshop along with the lovely Am at NICOLA (New International Company of Live Arts), Youth Talent Factory.
Participants in the workshop could learn to sew, design their own t-shirt or bag and create their own jewellery. It was a busy day with performances from those involved in NICOLA Youth, as well as stalls, workshops and an art exhibition.

Stew Print Rooms

On Sunday I helped out with the printing of t-shirts at Stew Print Rooms in Norwich. The t-shirts are for an upcoming 24 hour pingpongathon!!
Stew are about to release an April workshop programme and I'll be holding some evening natural dyeing classes there. More information coming soon.

Workshop Dates - Tooting Market Project

Thurs 17th & Fri 18th February - Natural Dyeing Workshops 10am-5pm

Thurs 24th & Fri 25th February - Batik & Resist Dyeing Workshops 10am-5pm

Workshops cost just £5 for the day to cover cost of materials

For more information contact Kirstie 07818464285 or email williams_kirstie@hotmail.com

For more information on the Tooting Market Project: www.tootingmarketproject.wordpress.com

Tooting Market Project

Great News...I have a two week community artist residency in Feburary as part of the Tooting Market Project. A group of various artists are occupying an empty space in Tooting Market for three months and developing an arts and heritage project. I will be using the space as a studio to create new work and will also be holding some natural dyeing and batik workshops too.
For more information visit the Tooting Market Project blog http://tootingmarketproject.wordpress.com/
or Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tooting-Market-Arts-and-Heritage-Project/164398666934550

New Stockist!

New stockist, Lovely and British near London Bridge are now stocking my corsages. It's a lovely shop of all things made by British designers and they also have an online store. They will also hopefully be selling my new cushions soon.
http://www.lovelyandbritish.com/home.php