Category: research
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Harefield Centenary Quilt
The centenary quilt I made for Harefield Hospital last year is now on permanent display in the hospital’s main reception area. The quilt was created during a number of workshops for staff, patients and local community to celebrate 1o0 years of care on the Harefield Hospital site and uses archive and donated photographs, nurses…
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Anniversaries and Centenaries
Today marks eleven years since I officially became a self-employed artist. Last year I missed my 10th anniversary because of other things going on in my life and this year it feels a bit flat because of the state of my country and the Somme centenary today. Centenaries and anniversaries are important in my work and…
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Postcard from Ashridge Forest
A couple of weeks ago I spent a lovely weekend volunteering for the National Trust in the glorious Ashridge Forest, one of my favourite places in England. I spent most of my spare moments photographing and identifying wildflowers which were abundant and glorious. I found lots of new-to-me flowers including a White Helleborine orchid (which…
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Exploring DNA
Following on from our studio session exploring stains a couple of weeks ago, Gillian & I have started work on a new research and development project, inspired DNA using found objects as our source material. Each object will be changed, developed and combined with other altered objects to create a sequence of interactions and combinations. …
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Postcard from West Dean
I travel a lot, often for work. I go out of my way to find beautiful places – historic buildings, parks, woods, gardens and meadows. I take a lot of photos. It’s time to share them more. Postcard from… is a new blog series with photos of where I’ve been and what I’ve seen. Pictures are…
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Pressing
Yesterday, I spent a quiet ten minutes pressing some vintage flannel cloths, bought at the antiques fair a few weeks ago. When I am stressed, overwhelmed by so much to do and by a head full of whirling thoughts the simple act of ironing slows me down. I don’t enjoy ironing clothes. I certainly don’t iron sheets.…
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On Patience
People often tell me how patient I am to hand stitch my work. I often counter that I am only patient with sewing, not with anything else (although that’s not really true*). We can all be patient doing something we love. It doesn’t require patience to get to the end of a good book as you…
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Seeing the Beauty in Everyday Things
Slowing down. Looking. Listening. Re-finding myself. Learning to love where I am. Right now.
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Criminal Quilts at Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford
My first series of Criminal Quilts is now on display at Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford. These pieces were inspired by photographs from the Staffordshire Archives of women criminals (below), commissioned by Shire Hall Gallery and later purchased for the museum collection and display outside the historic courtroom. The six Criminal Quilts in Stafford are shown…
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Harefield Hospital centenary quilt commission
I’ve recently been commissioned to make a centenary quilt for Harefield Hospital. The NHS hospital began its medical life as an ANZAC hospital, during the First World War. The then owner of the 18th century house and estate was an Australian and gave over his house and grounds to create a facility for his countrymen.…
Ruth Singer 