Ferrers Gallery in North West Leicestershire is showing work by felt artists Sarah Uff (Leicestershire) and Gillian Royal (Warwickshire) as part of their Winter Craft Floor which is open until Christmas Eve.
Felt is an intriguing medium to work with and neither artists work has been previously shown at Ferrers Gallery. Gillian Royal calls her pieces ‘Pantoufles’ and they are unique three dimensional, seamless, sculptural vessels, in a range of styles, colours and sizes. The vessels are made from a range of luxury natural fibres, including merino and native breed wools and silks, giving the finished items a tactile quality that is hard to resist. They are smooth, light weight and, unlike ceramics, virtually unbreakable, ideal for a contemporary modern interior. The designs, which combine colour, pattern and texture, are often embellished with embroidery and appliqué.
Sarah Uff also working with similar techniques creates a contrasting style of work. Looking at functionality and decoration she has on display a range of open bowls and vessels that are embellished with stitched detail or with felted flowers, she also creates framed pictures and a range of corsages at prices that will make excellent gifts this Christmas. Sarah enjoys working with colour and gains inspiration from combinations found in nature and the landscapes.
“Each piece is hand crafted and unique and temptingly tactile, it is great to see the passion for a craft shining through in the end product – you can tell both Sarah and Gillian have a passion for felt.”
Ally Thorne, Ferrers Gallery manager
Also on display this Christmas is a fantastic selection of British made and hand crafted present ideas, from textiles and jewellery to ceramics and glass and with prices from as little as £2 there’s sure to be treats and treasures in everyone’s stockings this Christmas.
In December Ferrers Gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 5pm and open until 2pm on Christmas Eve, we re-open in the New Year on Saturday 1stJanuary at 12 noon, for more information please visit their website www.ferrersgallery.co.uk or call 01332 863337.
