"Exciting",
"exhilarating", "unbelievable" are words that capture
the brilliance of Jane Hall's amazing embroideries. The sheer magic of her
work is in its beauty and its awe-inspiring attention to detail.
Stiched and woven in pure silk and gold threads on delicate fabrics, embellished
with fragments of shell, iridescent feathers and semi-precious stones, her
work takes on a quality that is both startling and memorable.
Flowers, leaves, grasses, toadstools, butterflies and bugs are translated
into three-dimensional scenes and panels, born of a love of nature and an
intuitive understanding of the nature world.
Jane works almost entirely by hand, evolving each piece, adapting ideas and
changing the image as it naturally develops.
This book explores Jane's extraordinary world, the materials she uses, her
techniques, and her understanding and interpretation of nature. Packed with
ideas, inspiration and information, it will appeal to all embroiderers and
textile artists everywhere.
Order directly from the artist: order
form web
page
Book details: Publication: December 2006
Price £15
Format: Softback 292 x 216
mm
ISBN: 1 84448 038 0
EAN: 9781844480388
Extent:
128 pp
Published by
Search Press
Wellwood, North Farm Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR
Tel: 01892 510850, Fax: 01892 515903
BOOK REVIEWS
First and foremost, this is NOT a book of projects but a look at one artists
unique depictions of nature. It is the sort of thing coffee tables were made
for, and guaranteed to look impressive and bring joy to owner and guests alike.
For all textile artists this is a book of inspiration, and shows what can be
done with natural materials and fabric, wire, thread and more.
In true Search Press style this is one handsome book, lavishly illustrated
with suitably large photographs of the work. Read about how the artist works,
her inspirations and the organization of her studio. There are photos of everything,
including the studio and work in situ, plenty of shots of nature in all her
glory as well as raw materials such as baskets of silk, antique sewing tools,
boxes overflowing with inspirational items and sketchbooks. Leafing through,
one feels that if Platos Symposium was the ideal for academic study, then Ms.
Halls studio is surely the way all textile artists would work if they could.
Personally, I find a book that shows how somebody working on a budget with
only a cupboard and a kitchen table can still produce good results more inspiring
but this is not a how-to book. It does show wonderfully how one persons limitless
imagination can produce a very personal and attractive view of nature, and
reading about how other people work is always fascinating. Rachel
A Hyde 2007
Jane Hall has produced a beautiful book illustrating the
way an Artist thinks and records the world around her. By her observations
of nature, she develops her own interpretation of natural forms into magical
textile pieces. Included in this book are photographs and illustrations showing
how she works through her ideas to the final piece. The finished designs
are three dimensional, very tactile and beautifully developed. Jane works
by hand and evolves each piece slowly over time. She does not use traditional
techniques, but works intuitively. This is not a project book, but would
be an inspiration to anyone, gardener, embroiderer or nature lover. Well
illustrated and containing lots of information about the artists thought
processes, this is an inspiring read. meg-online.info
Also reviewed in:
Stitch No44 December 06/January 07.
Workbox No 103 February/March 07.