jo coombes
profile
I started stitching simple pictures from an early age, and then joined an excellent local Adult Education hand embroidery class, and my local Embroiderers’ Guild when I left work to bring up my family. I decided to broaden my knowledge skills by taking a City and Guilds Design and Craft course in 2002. I so enjoyed this experience that I joined Phoenix Contemporary Textile Group to continue the journey. It has proved to be a wonderfully supportive and fun group, constantly reinvigorating the enthusiasm to try new techniques and explore new themes.
Some of my current work examines how writers and other artists have expressed their awe of the nature, beauty and power of seas and rivers. Textiles are a good medium to convey this, and in particular, I am inspired by the textural work of Cornish artist Kurt Jackson.
I enjoyed working on a group project inspired by modern architecture, exploring the effect of modern design and building materials in social housing. I tried combining a variety of techniques – printing, transferring images, using a heat tool, hand and machine embroidery.
Currently I am working on a theme of ‘direction’ and path finding which I hope to use in our next exhibition ‘Old World, New Eyes’.
qualifications
2002-6........ City & Guilds Design and Craft
membership
Embroiderers’ Guild
Phoenix Contemporary Textile Group (PCTG)
‘4 x 4’ Group
exhibitions
2011........... ‘Old World, New Eyes’ PCTG – Robert Phillips Gallery, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey
2010........... ‘Alton Estate Project’, PCTG – Bank Gallery, Chobham, Surrey
2009........... RACC Exhibition, Richmond, Surrey
2009........... ‘Concrete, Steel, Cloth’ PCTG – Robert Phillips Gallery, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey
2009........... Exhibition for Volunteers’ Week, Embroiderers’ Guild, Hampton Court Palace, Surrey
2008........... Exhibition Cotman Gallery, Wimbledon, Surrey
2005/8........ ‘4 x 4’ - Menier Gallery, London
2007........... Knitting & Stitching Show (winner Texere Competition), Alexandra Palace, London
Exhibits with the Kingston & District Branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild
contact
Email: thejocoombes@gmail.com