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Crafted at The Art House – Inspiration Through Encounter

This spring, i decided to visit Crafted, a vibrant craft market hosted by The Art House in Wakefield. The event brought together a mix of local artists and makers, each offering a glimpse into their creative practices through handmade products.

I found myself drawn to the work of Emily Kate Henshall, whose illustrations are inspired by nature. Her pieces combine storytelling with whimsy, capturing animals and dreamlike scenes that feel both playful and symbolic. As someone who also draws from nature in my own work, I found her approach both relatable and motivating. The colourful crochet work from Robins and Rainbows also stood out, with its joyful colours and textures. Seeing how other artists combine functionality with creativity reminded me of what my own handmade work could be.

Markets like Crafted are not just spaces to browse or shop, they are environments for conversation and connection. I enjoyed speaking with artists about their processes and inspirations. The informal chats spark new ideas and offer insights into the realities of maintaining a creative practice. It was valuable to me to learn how artists price their work and present their stalls, something that feels crucial when you’re beginning to promote and sell your own pieces.

Recently, I visited the "Nature: Sensory" exhibition at The Art House in Wakefield, and it was an enriching experience. Running from 14 January to 15 February, 2025, this exhibition invites visitors to engage with art that explores the intersection of nature and sensory experience.

Accessibility and Environment

One of the first things I noticed was how accessible the venue is. The lift made it easy for everyone to navigate the space, ensuring that all visitors could enjoy the exhibition without barriers. Accessibility in art spaces is vital, and The Art House has accommodated for this.

The Artwork

The exhibition showcases the work of several artists including Helen Thomas, Jessie Davies, and others. Their pieces invite the viewer to contemplate nature in unexpected and thought-provoking ways.

A notable installation was a series of tactile sculptures, encouraging interaction. One piece featured ceramic forms that visitors were invited to handle gently.

Another intriguing work was a geometric sculpture that combined natural materials with a modern aesthetic. The juxtaposition of the raw and refined, reinforces the relationship between nature and art.

I was particularly drawn to the vibrant paintings depicting natural landscapes. These works not only captured the beauty of the outdoors but also evoked feelings of being in nature. The colours and textures were vivid and bright welcoming the viewer to really experience the subject matter.

Reflecting upon my own practice, in which I am primarily creating digital botanical pattern designs on Procreate, I thought in particular about colour and how that impacts the way my work is viewed. Colour has always been a large component of my practice, I often enjoy utilising bright, vivid palettes, extenuating the beauty I find in nature.

I also contemplated on texture and how that could come in to play in my patterns. Not long after this, I created some lino prints and created some digital patterns out of them, creating an intersection between the physical and the digital.

Interactive Elements

A standout feature of the exhibition was a unique book art installation that visitors could handle. This interactive element allowed me to explore the delicate illustrations of botanical forms up close.

Another memorable piece was a large multi-panel artwork that blended various mediums to create a representation of nature's complexity.

Overall

Overall, "Nature: Sensory" at The Art House in Wakefield is a highly engaging exhibition that celebrates the relationship between art and the natural world. The thoughtful curation, combined with the accessibility of the venue, made the exhibition very enjoyable. It also enabled reflection on my own practice, ultimately influencing me to experiment with texture in my work.

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