Coded : Decoded

The international textile group Prism returns to the Mall Galleries with the first of a two part show.

For 2014 Prism presents a collection of thought-provoking and expressive artworks that respond to the exhibition title Coded : Decoded. With a combination of wall-based pieces, 3 dimensional work, and collaboration, individual interpretations promise both conundrum and disclosure.

The second part of the Show, with entirely different work, will take place in the autumn in three separate venues as part of the Knitting and Stitching Shows. Please see www.prismtextiles.co.uk for more information.

Ali Brown

Traditionally May 5th is Boys’ Day in Japan and commemorated with koi windsocks flown to celebrate children’s happiness and gratitude to mothers. This work reminds us that reduced fish stocks in our oceans is still an issue and female cod are important in refilling our seas.

Liz Harding

Liz Harding continues her examination of landscape and of the potential of paint and stitch on cotton organdie. Stitch is a prime means of articulating the formal structure of composition and of embedding meaning into the surface of the cloth.

Julieanne Long

The infinite variety of plants is amazing and how they adapt to their surroundings. The teasel is a strange plant but rather beautiful with its distinctive shape. The teasel was used by textile workers in the past to card fleece before spinning.

Yumiko Reynolds

Yumiko responds to the title “coded: decoded” by creating her stitch drawing, “A Secret Message-Sakura (Cherry Blossom)”. Cherry blossoms convey poetic meanings for the Japanese culture. The design has developed from the question; why is the sakura such a strong symbol for the Japanese people?

Bea Sewell

London, narrative and history always feature in Bea’s work and this piece is no exception. These are the post-coded’ parcels’ to be de-coded and delivered by the postman to iconic London sites.

Consuelo Simpson

Daily walks inform Consuelo Simpson’s practice and her work is an affectionate celebration of the gentle countryside surrounding her home. The work is about the exhilaration of being in the landscape and inspiration comes from the traces left by man and nature on the land.

Celia Stanley

Celia’s work looks at found objects and their connectivity to the person associated with them. Clothing in particular carries an imprint of the absent presence and re-presentation of these objects awakens associations, memories and emotions, linking to the original wearer.

Susie Vickery

Charles Babbage proposed division of labour in manufacture according to skills. This series of automata shows the stages in garment manufacture in a tailor’s workroom. The tape measure was invented by tailors in the early 19th Century and is still the most efficient way to work out someone’s size.