In February Janice Lawrence gave us a talk called a Journey Through Threads and Patches. It outlined her way into embroidery and how she has made it such an important part of her life.
Janice grew up in a family of stitchers. Her mother, grandmother and aunt all embroidered, knitted, crocheted and made garments for themselves and each other. Whilst studying for a degree in geography at the London School of Economics an embroidery exhibition at All Hallows, London Wall inspired her to pursue a modern approach to stitch.
After her degree she worked in the National Art Library and joined a part time embroidery course at the London College of Fashion .The latter led to C&G certificates parts I & II with distinction.
Janice has exhibited widely in the UK and has commissioned work in churches in S.E England. Her work has appeared in various books and magazines. She is widely travelled, favouring South America, where vibrant colours and pre-Columbian imagery informs some of her textiles. The icy worlds of the Arctic and Antarctica, with their fragile environments, influence the design of cool textile landscapes and panels focussing on the plight of polar bears. She enjoys hand and machine stitch – choosing what she feels is right for a particular project. Sometimes her materials are traditional, at other times plastics and sweet papers help tell a story.
harrowstitchers 