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Hawthorne & Heaney visit’s S.E.W’s International Contemporary Stitched Art Exhibition

December 26, 2019 by Natasha Searls-Punter

Last month, the Society for Embroidered Works held their very first exhibiton dedicated solely to embroidery. The International Contemporary Stitched Art Exhibiton was held in a characterful space in Clerkenwell, the turn out for quite a niche exhibition looked to be pretty good.

‘Despite her strength she remained on guard 1’ 25×21 cm by Christina MacDonald

The exhibition a great cross section of stitched art in its many forms, as you can see from the few photos included here, the range was quite broad so there was a little something to interest everyone.

‘Lady Gaga’ 34×34 cm by Sarah Gwyer

Providing a platform for stitched art is an important step in elevating the stitched art’s status within the artwork as historically it has been downgraded from art and though of more as ‘women’s work’ or ‘home crafts’. Whilst one might argue these terms to be fair, it would be equally fair to say that given the skills and conceptual strenghts of these pieces shown are most certainly ‘art’.

‘A Benediction from the Old World’ 62×46 cm by Kate Tume

Presenting them in this manner is an important part of S.E.W’s bigger mission to ‘redefine’ the stitched arts to a more apropriate status. If you would like to read more about S.E.W’s mission, have a look at their website.

‘Sisters’ 56x72cm by Bridget Steel-Jessop

Given the level of work on display at this first exhibition, we can’t wait to see what they will present to the art world next year!

‘The girl of the Vale’ 33x30cm by Rowena Liley

Hawthorne & Heaney for Miss World

December 19, 2019 by Natasha Searls-Punter

Saturday was the big night of the year for beauty pagentry as it was the final of 2019’s Miss World competition, held in London’s Excel center. This year’s winner, Toni-Ann Singh from Jamaica was crowned this year’s winner, beutifully modelling Hawthorne & Heaney made winner’s sash.

Image Credit @missworld

Singh wowed the judges with her ambition to become a medical doctor when she finishes her current studies in Women’s studies and Psychology at Florida State University and her classical opera singing skills.

Image Credit @mrworld.official

Here Singh poses with the current Mr World, Jack Heslewood aslo wearing his Hawthorne & Heaney made scarf.

We were particulally pleased with the addition of the glitter lettering which, under the lights of the stage, really came into its own.

Hawthorne & Heaney: Christmas 2019

December 16, 2019 by Natasha Searls-Punter

It’s that time of year again. How time flys!

The studio will be closed for Christmas from 1.30pm on Friday 20th Dec 2019 until Friday 3rd Jan 2020. Therfore any orders placed from now onwards on our standard 5 working days service for machine, or standard 10 working days for hand embroidery will be fulfilled in the new year.

See you in 2020!

Hawthorne & Heaney for Modular by Mensah

November 27, 2019 by Natasha Searls-Punter

Kusheda Mensah with her Furtiture (labels just seen)

Image: @modularbymensah @olivialrhodes ⠀⠀

We just love it when we get to see a great project all come together, event better when we have been priviliged enough to be a part of it. One such project was earlier this year when we are approached by Kusheda Mensah from Modular by Mensah to produce some embroidered labels for her latest project, in conjuction with Adidas.

Embroidered labels

Having graduated from LCC, British born Ghanaian designer Mensah produces pieces in her signature playful but functional style. Seeks to bring people together and promoting better social behaviours, her furniture has values as well as purpose. This collection with Adidas also demonstrates the kinds of beautiful furniture that can be made sustainable and recycled materials.

Revive 1 0754
@kvadrattextiles ⠀⠀
Image: @modularbymensah @olivialrhodes

”Inspired by playfulness, these modular shapes seek to redefine the idea of sustainable social well-being. Made from recycled foam and post-consumer recycled PET fabrics.”

@modularbymensah x @adidas ⠀⠀
Caught waste, 2019
Image: @modularbymensah @olivialrhodes

The very small text and sheer fabrics provided some technical challenges for the embroidery but with some creative thinking, they came out very smart.

Embroidered label

We can’t wait to see what this exciting designer does next!

Embroidered label

Hawthorne & Heaney visits Bridget Riley at the Hayward

November 20, 2019 by Natasha Searls-Punter

On Thursday we were lucky enough to visit the eagerly anticipated exhibition of Bridget Riley’s most comprehensive body of work (spanning an incredible 70 years), on display at the Haywood Gallery.

It was quite a unique experience in the way that the concept behind the paintings made you really think about the theory behind colour, art is about looking; and this exhibition really brings that to your attention. It was also unique in the physical way that the paintings made your eyes and brain hurt – (but in a good way of course!)

The following images are from my favorite series of works:

Stripes and Diagonals. “At the core of colour is a paradox. It is simultaneously one thing and several things – you can never see colour by itself, it is always affected by other colours.” (Bridget Riley, 2009).

Bridget Riley, Chant 2, 1967

Finding that colour is unstable and tangible, Riley used stripes and to bring about powerful colour interactions – pairing or grouping colours along horizontal or vertical stripes, mixing and creating an illusion of hues.

This was one of my favorite series as the work is simple, in the form of perfect clean lines of pigment, but the mixture of colours really make your eyes work and see colours that aren’t there. It isn’t until you go close up to the painting that you can really see what colours the paintings really possess.

Curves “When colours are twisted along the rise and fall of a curve their juxtapositions change continually” (Bridget Riley, 2009).

This series really made my head go in a spin – I think that even from the photos that I took, you can see the illusion of the waves moving and swirling. It is amazing to think that the paint is static, yet with the application of line and colour, there is so much movement.

Bridget Riley, Drift 2, 1966

Studies “The working process is one of discovery and it is worth remembering that the word discovery implies an uncovering of that which is hidden.” (Bridgit Riley, 2019). – I love this quote – it complies the meaning of creative experimentation perfectly.
I found this part of the exhibition fascinating as it showed us the ideas and some of the mathematical and theoretical workings behind the pieces. They were in themselves, very much pieces of art – intricately applied and thought out. It also made you really appreciate just how much thought and time goes into creating the final pieces of work.

Riley produces full-scale preparatory drawings, from which studio assistants under her assistance complete the final work. This gives her the time to solely work on the theory and studies behind the paintings.

Black-and-White “The basis of my paintings is this: that in each of them a particular situation is stated. Certain elements within that situation remain constant. Others precipitate the destruction of themselves by themselves.”(Bridget Riley, 1965).

Bridget Riley, Fall, 1963

Bridget Riley, Blaze 1, 1962

Even with the absolute basic level – simply black and white paint, the illusion is arguably even stronger. Maybe it’s the contrast or the simplicity that draws it back in but it was an amazing way to end the exhibition.

Overall I was really impressed by the exhibition, I thought it was well laid out and portrayed a real story. The surroundings didn’t take away from the paintings but added something to them – they really made you focus in on the work and allowed space for reflection.

“The eye roams and the brain roams with it. You think you get it, and then you don’t”.

(Guardian, 2019)

The exhibition is on until 26th Jan 2020 and I highly recommend a visit if you get the chance.

Hawthorne & Heaney for Ugg Boots

November 14, 2019 by Natasha Searls-Punter

With Christmas approaching, we are springing up all over the place for personalisation event. We go into stores, with our machines and personalise people’s purchases from that store while you wait adding that extra special touch.

Recently we have been going to Ugg stores, in a wide range of locations, to add people’s initials to their Ugg boots. Most of these events were all on the same days in all the different locations so it didn’t matter where you were, we were probably close by!

Le Marais Store, Paris

Manchester Store, UK

Oberhausen Store, Germany

Lyon Store, France

St Germain Store, Paris

Bluewater Store, UK

Westfield Store, London

We have a few more of these Ugg events coming up in December, so watch our instagram for details of where you might be able to catch us while you can.

Hawthorne & Heaney visits ‘Wonderful Things’ at the V & A Museum

November 6, 2019 by Natasha Searls-Punter

‘Tim Walker: Wonderful Things’ is the new exhibition on at the V& A Museum this winter. Looking at the works of fashion photographer, Tim Walker; expect to be amazed and delighted by the fantastical worlds he creates for his photographs and the stunning presentation of them by world leading design museum, The Victoria and Albert Museum.

Chances are, you have probably come across Tim Walker’s work before, whether you knew it or not. He has been working for publications such as Vogue from the the start of his career and over the last 30 or so years, he has come to produce a great number of works. The first room is a celebration of this as many well know pieces are displayed here so you can bounce from one catagory to the next with pangs of recognition.

The Dress-Lamp Tree, Tim Walker, 2002, England

After you are introduced to Walker and given some context about the exhibition, that’s when things get really interesting. For this exhibiton, Walker has produced several series of new works, inspired by the items in the V&A’s own collections as inspiration.

It is always lovely to see a maker’s process, so the addition of sketchbooks to the exhibition is a welcome insight into their minds.

Along with the props, the sets that Walker builds are rich and diverse, providing much interest in themselves alone even without a moving subject in them.

In typical Walker style, there are oversized props which give a fantastical element to both the photos and the exhibition.

I particularly enjoyed the section inspired by a 400 year old embroidery box and chamberlain’s key. Partially because, as an embroiderer, I am pleased to see any uses of embroidery that raise its profile and highlight it’s beauty but also for the resulting series.

The exhibition acts as a masterclass in spring boarding inspiration from existing artworks and creating entirely new pieces from them. If you would like to see all the pieces in person, get down to the museum to experience their true magnitude.

”Tim Walker: Wonderful Things” will be on at the Victoria and Albert Museum until the 8th March 2020. Tickets from £15.00, free for members.

Hawthorne & Heaney on Frogging

October 18, 2019 by Natasha Searls-Punter

Frogging is an interesting word for an embroidery technique isn’t it. It is believed that it referes to the shape of the knot used in ‘frog fasteners’ with the center being the body and the sides being the wide back legs of the frog. The term over the years has come to refer to the embroidery done with this same type of appliqued chord onto garments though not resctricted to the original 3 part knot or for fastening purposes.

At Hawthorne & Heaney, we can produce traditional, hand embroidered frogging, where braid is manipulated and sewn down to create these elaborate patterns that you may recognise from historical garments and costume.

Peacoat with hand embroidered frogging detail by Gieves and Hawkes for Permanent style