The Gorgeous & The Grotesque

About

Whilst Heidi’s practice celebrates the joy of the fairytale, Eleanor’s uncanny creations convey an eerier side to the theme.

Eleanor Thomas' work takes inspiration from the stonework grotesques, commonly known as gargoyles that usually perch on old buildings in a disquieting fashion. Combining machine and hand embroidery with needle felting, the soft and exquisite texture of her hand-embroidery unsettlingly juxtaposes with the solid stone subject matter.

Heidi Rhodes’ pieces reflect how she perceives the world captured in thread. Inspired by fairytales and the magic of childhood, she aims to convey this world often combined with images of much loved cities such as Brighton and London. Injecting inject humour into her work, Heidi makes reality magical in her work, and is particularly attracted to the sparkle of royal events.

Eleanor Thomas is an illustrator and textile artist, with a BA (Hons) degree in Fashion/Textiles from Southampton University, and CertEd from Farnborough College. www.knitnell.com  Heidi Rhodes graduated from Chelsea Art College with a BA (Hons) in Textile Design, specialising in weave. Heidi’s work can be found at the Naughty Pirates Gallery on Brighton seafront. www.heidirhodestextiles.com

The Gorgeous & The Grotesque textiles exhibition at the Riverside Café Gallery coincides with thread festival, the annual sewing and fabric event at the Farnham Maltings, 25th and 26th September 2016. For more information about the festival and other events, including workshops and talks, please see our website. www.farnhammaltings.com