ND11
Helyne Jennings – Textiles & Mixed Media
Venue
Venue Address
No.5
Mill Street
Torrington
Devon
EX38 8AL
Venue Postcode
EX38 8AL
Directions
No.5 is on the right at the top of Mill Street opposite the Methodist Chapel. This part of Mill Street is one way accessible by turning left at the end of Warren Lane. There is a single yellow line outside the property which allows for dropping off or picking up.
Parking
Parking in South Street two minute walk or at venue with blue badge.
Venue Facilities
Artist statement
My work is constantly experimental using many kinds of media. Primarily a fine art textile artist with roots in embroidery using hand painted block printed and stitched fabrics which I like to combine with papers, acrylic paints, gesso and other painterly materials to create colourful abstract wall hangings, digital prints and jewellery.
Extended Bio
I have been on this ‘stitch’ journey practically my entire life encouraged as a child to sew and create with my mother who had herself studied textiles. Later as a foundation student in Barnstaple my tutor brought in her sewing machine which she felt I would find interesting. I have been behind one ever since.
Although I like to be experimental using different types of media and technologies as and when they arise I feel compelled to add hand or machine stitch so there is always a ‘nod’ to my roots compounded by achieving a BA Hons degree in textiles at Loughborough College of Art.
Colour and texture is important, together with abstract shape and composition they represent a time and place experienced through travel in my earlier years as a forces child, a student and in my early career through International exhibitions in Singapore, Japan and New Zealand.
After completing an MA at the Royal College of Art in 1981 I set up a studio in Clerkenwell London, later moving to our house in Ferndale Road, Clapham before returning to North Devon in 1995 after the birth of our daughter.
Today I work from home in Torrington surrounded by the breathtaking Devon landscape and coastline which can’t help but inspire but find I return to recurrent themes of my travelling days fused with imagery from dreams.
Group Members
I am joined in the street this year by my neighbours Alison Finch, Charmian Harris and Shan Miller, together we offer a diverse selection of textile art, painting, print and jewellery. We look forward to welcoming you to our studios.
During the second week of Open Studios I will be present at the venue but please call me to make an appointment to make sure I will be available for you.