Two local artists are preparing to launch their latest joint exhibition at UCLan’s PR1 Gallery.
Heather, a textile artist from Preston, will be exhibiting Through the Lens of a Needle, and Sara Nowell will be exhibiting her work Mental Health Monsters.
Both artists are recent alumni from the University of Central Lancashire. Heather graduated in August 2021, with a Master of Arts in Surface Pattern and Textiles. Her project centres around Polaroid photographs taken in the Ribble Valley’s White Carr Wood, which she has then carefully recreated in embroidery, creating beautiful works of art.
“Polaroids are easy to take and quickly develop; you get a visible image within minutes,” said Heather. “Embroidery is a skilled pursuit and slow to progress. The image certainly takes hours to realise, if not days.”
“In this collection, the Polaroid’s role is to capture the moment in time, the embroidery to preserve that moment long after the instant capture has faded.”
Heather’s work will be exhibited alongside the work of artist Sara Nowell. Sara will be showing her Masters of Arts project, Mental Health Monsters, created using different printmaking processes such as screen printing, digital printing, lithography, and intaglio.
“Mental illness can impact anyone, anywhere, at any age,” said Sara. “It can be experienced as a sufferer or supporting a family member or friend.”
“The narrative over mental health requires boundaries to be broken and the arts can create an active conversation to insight positive change for communities.”
Heather and Sara’s work can be viewed at the PR1 Gallery in the Victoria Building at UCLan from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 23 April and Monday 25 April to Thursday 28 April.
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