Jane Atkinson
Maker Showcase
Lacemaking.
“The focus of my work for the past decade has been using the delicate art of contemporary bobbin lace to highlight the fragility of our landscape in a time of climate breakdown. My subjects are often ephemeral and elemental, their significance drawn from a deep understanding of my locality.”
I enjoy technical challenge, whether with meticulous planning or its more risky opposite, spontaneous improvisation. Perhaps my planning might only go so far, and then I weave in chance and chaos to keep life interesting.
My work uses traditional technique, since I started with British laces such as Honiton and Bucks Point, but I came to realise that there were many untapped possibilities in the more geometric Torchon, which allowed the addition of colour, manipulated grids, increased scale and simple stylisation.
Continental styles have helped to free me up – Torchon is planned to the last pinhole, but with the Czech approach you place the pins which tension the design in the places that you think best as you come to make it. I aim to pass my discoveries on through books, articles and workshops – I have presented the latter as far as Australia, the USA and across Europe.
My goal: to extend freedom of expression to successive generations who might be less attracted to traditional lace.
About the exhibitor
Jane Atkinson | Lacemaking | Dorset
Jane has pioneered the transformation of traditional lacemaking into a contemporary art form over nearly 50 years.
Her focus for the past decade has been climate breakdown, tracking the fragility of her local wetland landscape in delicate pieces that capture the play of natural patterns and forces on land, in water and in the air.
Working in linen and silk on specially-commissioned equipment, she creates large panels, hangings and installations as well as wearable art.
A former journalist, Jane has published three books, one of them to accompany her 2018 Arts Council-backed exhibition ‘Ebb’n’Flow’.
She has taught around the world to empower the creative voices of other lacemakers and now works with three colleagues – from the UK, South Africa and the USA – to offer Masterclasses and tutorials on Patreon as The Adventurous Lacemakers.
Work created for a world survey of contemporary lace in America now features on the cover of ‘La Dentelle dans l’art contemporain’, shortly to be published in English.
Jane has also shared an exhibition organised by Arenys de Mar lace museum in Spain with the Cornwall lace artist Denise Watts, as well as exhibiting at festivals throughout Europe.
Plan your visit
Open Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm.
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