Tower and Town, May 2018

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Arts Review

Textile artists Gemma Maclennan and Barbara Touati-Evans have produced a large-scale free form crocheted wall hanging of the Marlborough Downs, based on sightings from a road trip they embarked upon last spring.

The major piece in this collection (sharing its name with the entire exhibition) was inspired by a drive through the Downs. It is bold, imaginative and pleasurably tactile. Research into this project did not solely derive from the road trip. Indeed, it was compounded by long walks and also aerial photographs from very far away and very close-up. Having masterfully, but I suspect, rather painstakingly assembled this complex piece consisting of famous Wiltshire landmarks, notably Silbury Hill, the Ridgeway and Savernake Forest’s ‘Big Belly Oak’, as well as a chalk white horse, the piece artfully envelops the natural beauty of our surrounding landscapes. The artists have described it as ‘a representation of our observations of the Downs from differing views and experiences. It is not geographically correct, but uses the shapes, colours and textures of these landmarks to describe the area in both abstract and textual form.’

The exhibition is enriched by examples of the artist’s individual work. Gemma’s portfolio focuses on Wiltshire wildlife, primarily birds and butterflies. The beautiful use of colour and pattern, strong attention to detail and emotional response to the wildlife around us is effective and vivid. Barbara’s collection looks more at the roads in and out of Marlborough, considering the destruction and reconstruction of our roads. Her work reflects on the history of Marlborough, for example, the links between the town and the chalk found in the soil, and also the historical significance of the annual Mop Fair. Barbara’s work is varied, inventive, and wonderfully textured.

A rich, skilled, original and organic exhibition that looks marvellous in the gallery, great work Gemma and Barbara!

Yarning the Land was at The White Horse Gallery between 4th - 28th April 2018.

Gabriella Venus