Ealish Wilson

Artist Statement:

The sculptural textiles I create have developed from a fascination with materials, architecture and travel.  I really enjoy the process of making and tend not to use a sketchbook but simply start to create and see how it develops.

My work is a collection of threads; experiences from my travels and living abroad (which is a bit like constant travel).  Although the places are different the natural process of development is always the same. I gather inspiration through collection ; photographs, paper, materials.  Images of architecture have a pivotal role within the work.  The juxtaposition of old and new provides intriguing contrasts of texture, ideas for form, shape and colour combinations.

Computer technology provides me with a modern sketchbook. I record daily visual experiences with my camera. Images are cropped, doubled, repeated and inverted to create visual depth. These are subsequently used to create printed textiles on industrial materials such as sailcloth.

My manipulation of cloth is heavily influenced by techniques normally associated with clothing; pleating, smocking and ruching. Sculptural forming of the material influences the fabric texture  and the application of surface images creates varying levels of depth. The viewer initially sees the colours and the surface texture. On closer observation images are revealed, for example part of a kimono or a flower. The combination of techniques is both fun to create and I hope intrigues.

I am from the Isle of Man, British Isles, with a BA in Fine Art Textiles and History from Chester College, Chester, UK, and a Masters in design ( MDes) from The Scottish College of Textiles, Galashiels, Scotland. Some of the more unusual commisions I have been asked to do include a 32m textile hanginging, a food court ceiling & tyvek wedding dresses.

Most recent exhibition;  10 x 10 x 10, Mighty Tieton, Tieton, Washington, USA. Small Bites 2012/11 Gallery Gallery, Kyoto, Japan, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan & Daiwa Foundation, London, U.K.  a group show in celebration of a 15 year relationship between Japanese and British textile artists. I was involved in Through the Surface (www.throughthesurface.com) a mentoring programme that took me to Japan in 2003 where I lived and worked with Michiko Kawarabayashi a Japanese textile artitst. The experience fundementally changed how I view my practise - to see creativity in the everyday.