KNOT EXACTLY- Ellen Burroughs & Sophie Axford-Hawkins••

KNOT EXACTLY- image by Ellen Burroughs

KNOT EXACTLY- Ellen Burroughs & Sophie Axford-Hawkins

THE HEPSIBAH GALLERY is delighted to welcome these two talented artists to the Gallery. I have closely watched Ellen's progress through University and her progress as an artist because I have known her growing up. In 'my' previous career as a milliner Ellen was my Muse for want of a better word- she modelled for me and her quirky creativity inspired many of my best pieces. Someone once said of my hats that they had an "ethereal beauty'' and I would like to pass on my most treasured compliment to Ellen and her work.
Ellen Burroughs' fine,intricate, heavenly drawings alongside Sophie Axford-Hawkins' beautiful jewellery will produce a show to remember and will be a joy and a personal high point for me as Curator of the Hepsibah Gallery. DO come along and enjoy it with me. JH
"Ellen Burroughs, recently graduated from Leeds College of Art, currently works in drawing and print. Winner of the Northern Art Show Award in 2008, she now practises as an artist and illustrator and plans to set up in a small studio in Paris from September of this year.
Sophie Axford-Hawkins is a bespoke jeweller, specialising in reworking vintage stones and antique pieces. With a background in sculpture and fine art, Sophie brought to her jewellery exciting and innovative techniques alongside traditional craft skills. She works primarily on privately commissioned pieces liaising closely with her client to create unique and exquisite compositions.
A shared fascination with the nature of knots and plaits has drawn the two artists to work together for this show. For the jeweller, the literal processes of knotting and rope making are traditions which come into play, while for the draftswoman knots and plaits are signs of human intervention tying together organic materials and animal forms. The two artists had originally worked together on a collaborative project with the title ‘Filthy Teeth’- a graphic, illustrative and photographic concept, producing CD artwork, web-design and pop culture photography. In future they envisage a joint installation that combines decorative and graphic arts, for which they are currently seeking funding."
(EB+SA-H)

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