Artist's Statement

I started bobbin lace making on a residential course in 1992 and immediately became totally immersed in this absorbing art form. During the intervening years I have completed many courses, in all areas of lacemaking, both bobbin and needlelace, taking up designing in 1998, and have more recently started teaching lace. I completed a BA (Hons) Textile Design in 2009 which expanded my knowledge in historical and contemporary design which I am now using in my lace work.

My main areas of interest within lace are the East Midlands bobbin laces, of Buckinghamshire Point Ground Lace and Floral Bedfordshire lace. I have been greatly influenced by the designer Thomas Lester from the 19^th century and enjoy the challenges of the flowing, floral Art Nouveau style designs. I feel that the traditional and historical designs teach so much to Lacemakers of today, although the traditions need to develop to produce contemporary designs suitable for modern Lacemakers.

I regularly use historical resources for design work although I am currently developing my own botanical illustration for use in designs, but with sub conscious reference to historical styles. My preferred work is fine and detailed and with hundreds of bobbins in use, often taking many months to complete a piece from the initial design stage. I am also currently experimenting with other materials, scale and dimension for design.

CV

Louise West
email:louisewestweavedesign@hotmail.co.uk

Personal Profile.
The BA(Hons) course developed my knowledge in a wide range of weave techniques, both traditional and contemporary with extensive use of own design work and inclusion of other textile techniques. I thoroughly enjoyed the weave section of the programme and found the development of designs in this medium an enthralling experience. I will be continuing development through the Masters programme (ADAPT) at the University of Derby, starting January 2010.

Qualifications - Textile related.
BA(Hons) Textile Design, University of Derby 2006-9
City and Guilds Certificate and Diploma in Lacemaking, Tamworth and Lichfield College 2003-6
City and Guilds Certificates in Patchwork and Quilting, Embroidery, Textile Decoration and Lingerie, South Nottingham College 1997-2002

Other Qualifications
City and Guilds 7302 Introduction to delivering learning for adult education, Denman College, Oxfordshire, 2006
12 GCE's at Friesland School, Sandiacre and South East Derbyshire College, 1977-8

Design Commission
2006/7 Design Project for Caruso St John Architects, London
Design for facade of Nottingham Contemporary
Source 1847 piece of lace which I used for the basis of the design
Design cast into concrete panels for entire facade of new building.

Awards, Publications and Exhibitions

2010 Articles published in 'Lace' and Workbox Magazines.

2009 University of Derby Mentee of the year 2008/9

2008 Lace design and work published on The Lace Guild calender for 2009

2006 In connection with NBLS staged exhibition of members work at Ruddington Framework Knitters Museum.

2006 and 2003 Lace exhibited at annual conventions of the Lace Guild and at headquarters Stourbridge.

2003 Lace Guild Award of Excellence for outstanding achievement in assessment.
Designs published in 'Lace', 'Workbox' and The Lace Society newsletter

2002 six pieces of lace in exhibition at Cecil Higgins Museum, Bedford in connection with International Conference, OIDFA

Professional Membership
Museum Association
The Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers
The 98 Lace Group (for Contemporary Lace)
The Lace Guild
The Lace Society
OIDFA (International Lacemakers Association
The Lacemakers Circle
Nottinghamshire Bobbin Lace Society
Leicestershire Bobbin Lace Guild


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