Paintings And Textiles Exhibition - Joan Murray

Joan Murray is holding an exhibition of her paintings and textiles at Holy Trinity Cafe, Skipton from 7th February - 4th March 2024.

The paintings of geraniums are inspired by her late mother who always had a colourful flurry of geraniums in her porch to greet any visitor.

The collages and paintings are complemented by garments and weaves. Two (very enjoyable) decades teaching fashion and textiles at Craven College, as well as visiting-teacher days at the Royal College of Art in London, enabled me to experiment with techniques and develop a wide range of patterns, textures, colours, silhouettes and yarns.

Now as a freelance textile designer, I continue to knit and weave. Many decisions are made by instinct as the work takes shape. My garments are focused on the idea of a living, moving body, and all my creative work springs from drawing, collaging and painting from life.

Textile works have been purchased by the Victoria & Albert Museum London, Hove Museum and Art Gallery and The Whitworth Museum and Gallery, Manchester.

My recent weaving residency at SING Global ‘22 – an annual Christian conference held in Nashville, Tennessee – included various themed woven pieces.

One large collaborative work was created over the four days: each delegate brought a piece of yarn for me to weave into a 5-metre long textile symbolising individuals joined together in the family of the church.

Among the many writers, musicians and artists I met, was the poet/priest Malcolm Guite, whose work we have discussed here at Holy Trinity.

Currently I am working towards a 2024 summer residency on the island of Lindisfarne.