This week is the last opportunity to visit The Mill’s much acclaimed SOFT exhibition, which ends on July 14.
June 21 saw the launch of SOFT, an exhibition at the Mill which is a collaboration between Catherine West of Significant Seams and The Mill.
SOFT is a display of tactile art and an effort to highlight textile work as art and “knit together” the local community, hobbyists to professionals, who work with textiles. Many pieces are for sale so this the very last chance to see some amazing work and perhaps buy some !
The exhibition was attended by Waltham Forest’s Mayor, Cllr. Richard Sweden who described the textile celebration as ‘fine work and an impressive representation of local people’s achievements‘. The work is free to view at the Mill until July 14.
The presentation is composed of diverse and visually dramatic demonstrations of talent and artwork within textiles. Exhibits include a Khadi Napkin from the Asian Women’s Support Group, a traditional square weave used to wrap bread. The Mill Knitters showcased technically complicated knits such as Ladder Lace, Stocking stitch and Vandyke Stitch.
Other work included Gilli Haqqani’s intricate and stunning floral, free machine piece, Easter at Kew, Kate Elizabeth Rolison’s, On being soft, a textile book delightful in its femininity and Harriet Hammel’s witty soft sculptures of domestic appliances.
The exhibition is also complemented by a series of workshops made possible by funding support from the Waltham Forest High Street Ward Forum.
More information and online booking for these can be found here.
The exhibition will culminate with the E17 Designers SOFT Summer Market. Buy gorgeous creations from local designers, Free entry, Saturday 14th July, 13:00-17:00
Proceeds from workshops and sales of items in the exhibitions will go to support the charitable activities of The Mill and Significant Seams.
The Mill is a community centre founded and run by volunteers. Significant Seams is a local social enterprise which draws on both the health benefits and social characteristics of sewing and knitting to build community and support the vulnerable and disadvantaged.
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All photos © Mark Burton www.mburtonphoto.com
