Some time ago, a friend gave me an old Japanese book which had been damaged by insects. She thought it would be something I could use in my work. I kept the book for over a year before I eventually decided what to make with it first. I love the way that Japanese anemonesContinue reading “Japanese Anemones”
Author Archives: Gillian Taylor
Poppies installation
This installation at the Exeter Northcott is made up of a thousand poppies created from copies of love letters written during World War II. Some of the letters were written by an aircraft engineer in Southampton to his girlfriend, who later became his wife. He wrote to her two or three times a week forContinue reading “Poppies installation”
Devon Open Studios
I’m taking part in Devon Open Studios on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 September. Our exhibition is at Cockwood Village Hall EX6 8NU between 11am and 6pm each day. Also taking part in the exhibition are watercolourist Tony Bird and photographer Jane Hirst. We’ll be serving fairtrade tea & coffee and delicious homemade cakes. On the Sunday, the SerenoaContinue reading “Devon Open Studios”
Seeking love letters
Would you be willing to lend me your love letters for a new piece of art? Much of my work has been inspired by communication. In particular, I’ve been working with two sets of love letters written during World War II – one written by an English aircraft engineer, and the other by an AmericanContinue reading “Seeking love letters”
Theatre programmes
I was commissioned to make a collection of envelopes using these wonderful old theatre programmes. It was an enjoyable challenge selecting the most significant pieces of text from the programmes and then making sure that they were still visible when the envelopes were put together. It takes a surprising amount of paper to make oneContinue reading “Theatre programmes”
Remembrance
As November 11th approaches, I’ve been thinking about Eric, an aircraft engineer based in Southampton during World War II. I’m fortunate enough to have Eric’s love letters, which is a great privilege. Eric wrote to his love two or three times a week for five years with messages of love interspersed with news of everyday lifeContinue reading “Remembrance”
Devon Open Studios
On Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 September 2012, I’m exhibiting with two other artists during Devon Open Studios. We’ll be at Cockwood Village Hall EX6 8NU from 11am to 6pm on both days. I’m showing some new work continuing on the theme of communication. Using a combination of hand cutting and laser cutting, I’ve made theseContinue reading “Devon Open Studios”
Seeking Sgt Schulist
I’m searching for Sgt Joseph F Schulist 16005837 who was an American GI in World War II. He wrote to a WREN based in England and I’ve been using the love letters in my work. It’s a romantic story and I’d love to find him or his family to find out how the story ended.Continue reading “Seeking Sgt Schulist”
Lasers or scissors?
I’ve just attended an amazing three day course at the University of the West of England, exploring printing and laser cutting paper. Laser cutting involves careful preparation of computer files and is more time consuming than just the process of cutting on the machine. You can, however, cut huge quantities of paper shapes relatively quickly.Continue reading “Lasers or scissors?”
Letter cards
I’ve been commissioned to make a piece using some letter cards written during the 1950s to a young woman based in North Devon. The letter cards are beautifully dainty things and lovely to work with. I used a piece of the original ribbon that the letters were bound in.
Gillian Taylor 