Art review ‘Spring into Stitches'

Press, 31 August 1989, Page 22

Art review ‘Spring into Stitches'

“Spring into Stitches.” The biennial exhibition of the Canterbury Embroiderers’ Guild. August 23 to September 3, 1989, at the C.S.A. Gallery. Reviewed by Daphne Erasmus.

In common with many exhibitions, whether of painting or other traditional craft, the bulk of these exhibits have the level of attainment exemplified by technical expertise, rather than originality, and the ability to count accurately rather than interpret an idea. However, the quality of the work means it deserves to be seen in a suitable venue, away from cake stalls, farm machinery or shopping trolleys. The Canterbury embroiderers have staged a delightful exhibition, in which the sweet perfume from tubs of orange blossom conjures up an atmosphere of gentility, where girls wear smocked dresses and young women don white smocked nightgowns at bedtime. Embroidered cloths are used on trays, and tables are covered with something other than laminate or plastic. Superlatives such as delicate, immaculate and beautiful, spring to mind, but so does the adjective staid. Fortunately Joy de

Thier’s sagacious "Mandarin Parrots” remind us of the duplicity of the real world, and Barbara Bevis’s balloon festival sampler demonstrates humour as well as expertise. All the usual embroidery favourites are represented, as are familiar and respected names of Canterbury embroiderers. There is delicate needlelace, and sophisticated goldwork. Elaine Suddens and Janet Swanson produced work which most pleased the selectors, and their pieces, like that of the guest exhibitor, Jenny Bain, show that embroidery can be used to express an individual concept rather than purely for embellishing fabric. Stitchery appears to be the prerogative of females; there is token male input, but embroidery is left to deft feminine hands. Women also make up the bulk of the enthusiastic and knowledgeable viewers, which is to the loss of men, because in this exhibition one can

see tradition, fun, symmetry, meticulousness and even a little innovation.

Perhaps, however, the appreciative men are at home washing up, while their partners practise their painstaking art.