Ruth is a textile artist from Ireland who uses her work to tell stories about her environment , growing up and her longstanding links to the most northerly point of the Irish Coast, Inishowen and Donegal. Ruth combined information about the history and geography of the area and her own personal history and Irish heritage with beautiful examples of her work. She uses printing, including collagraph printing and lots of stitching, often using Kantha stitchRuth has been inspired by what she has seen around her and by artists from the area and books of images.
This area includes parts of Northern and South o Ireland. As a result of that history and more recently , by the introduction of a Brexit border the area has a history of smuggling. This maritime history is strongly influenced by the physical structure of the coast line and inlets. Ruth shared showed examples of her work including that heritage With memories of her parent’s caravan. The pieces below feature a light house made on packing using oiled magazine images. Ruth also shared her use of lino printing.
As well as influenced by the region’s sea and coastline Ruth also talked about and her own experiences sailing with her father as a child. Work celebrating the Donegal Curragh used a range of techniques including Shibori.
This work also shows her use of indigo dying which Ruth has also incorporated when making small books and hangings of stitching. Ruth likes to make a series of pieces using different methods on a shared theme including for example work influenced by the Broighter Hoard an Irish Bronze Age find. Again she has used Lino prints to great effect.
Ruth also shared a striking much larger piece using patchwork, the theme of which was also influenced by the area. She effectively shows temperature changes across seasons. Ruth was generous in physically sharing her work and happy to discuss it after the meeting. Her talk was inviting and informative and much enjoyed.
We also held our usual raffle. This month’s colour was blue.The bags were as usual very effective and were made by Deed and Susan. June’s raffle colour is turquoise. As always this month blue contributions from members made up the content of the bags. Next meetings colour is turquoise. Contributions for the bags will again be gratefully received.
Our next meeting will feature as a speaker Steph Redfern, a well known member of the group Eclectica. Ruth has also been a member of that small group as are some members of BETA. Steph will also run our June Saturday work shop.
Birmingham Embroidery and Textile Art 