Ellen Devall
Profile
Collar Detail from: "Ten Days Allowed" 2010
STATEMENT:
Exquisite Poverty: Fragments
Poverty is not exquisite but that which emerges from it can be. The beautiful work of women's hands throughout history, the lace, embroidery and stitching on a simple seam which we treasure today were often created in poverty as a means of survival. This, combined with a time of personal poverty but richness of faith, inspires the theme of my current textile work.
Reclaimed and humble fabrics join with antique lace in garments shapes to tell personal stories in cloth and stitch. Contrasts of the exquisite and the poverty are shown by variations in the stitching, materials and embroidery; these combine both the right and sometimes tangled threads of the wrong side of the work, and just a little irony to make a beautiful whole...just as it is with life.
CV:
Personal Statement
I am a maker and designer with a passion for antique lace and textiles which are incorporated into my art practice. The combination of saved fragments from the lives of others, and my own work unites the past and present, blending them into one; bringing something new and beautiful into existence which will once again be treasured. Conserving these handmade pieces enables me to reverence the work of other women’s hands from times past, whilst creating something contemporary and exciting. My work is a visual narrative of events, emotions or subjects which carry messages and meaning….stories worked in cloth and stitch.
Education
2006-2010: BA (Hons.) Art and Design: Fashion and Textiles
2005-2006: National Diploma Foundation: Art and Design
Exhibitions & Shows
"Exquisite Poverty:Song of the Shirt":Solo Exhibition,The Minories Gallery
Colchester, Essex, 2011
"Small Show Huge Talent" Sotheby's Galleries, London,October 2010
Open Studios Cuckoo Farm September 2010
Colchester School of Art and Design, 2010
New Designers Show, Islington, London: 2010
Graduate Fashion Week, Earls Court, London: 2010
Indigo Premier Vision, Paris 2010: Textiles for Fashion
Indigo Premier Vision, Paris 2009: Textiles for Fashion
Alternative Fashion Week 2009: Spitalfields, London
Commissions
2009 Wilkins of Tiptree: Textile Print Design
2009 Adili Eco Clothing Company: Textile Print Design for Fashion
1995-2005: Wall Hangings and Cushions for private buyers
1993-1995: Collection of Ethnic Waistcoats for “Carole Anne’s Country Guest
House” Cape Town, South Africa.
Dresses for “Baxter’s”: Clothing, Art and Craft Shop, Cape Town.
Collection of 6 patchwork quilts for “The Riebeek Kasteel” Guest
House, Cape Town.
1992-1993 Collection of Naïve Hand painted wooden Artifacts for “Martha’s
Vineyard”, Cape Town, South Africa
1987-1988 Collection of Painted Artwork for Busy Lizzie” South Africa
Employment
2003-2006: Self Employed: Internet based retail business: Vintage textiles,
clothing, antique Lace, jewellery and antiques.
1995-2003: “The Remnant Shop”: Assistant Manageress with personnel, buying,
office and stock control skills; plus own textile and antique retail
unit in “The Shipwreck” Brightlingsea.
1993-1995: Manageress of a Country Guest House in South Africa with Craft
Outlet and self stocked Antique Toy Museum.
1984-1993: Manageress and buyer for “Martha’s Vineyard” Antique and Art
Shop, Cape Town South Africa
Current Work
Historically Informed Textile Art Project: Exquisite Poverty: Fragments
Awards
Cuckoo Farm Graduate Award of a studio and bursary 2010
Graduate Fashion Week 2010: “First Word” Journalism Award
References
Val Jacobs, Colchester Institute of Art and Design
Robert Bamburger, Fabric8 (previously The Remnant Shop), Colchester