Graduate Studio Programme Exhibition

Please join us to celebrate the end of our pilot Graduate Studio Programme with a joint exhibition by Almha McCartan & Morgan Martin

During the past 6 months Almha and Morgan have been supported with the use of a free, spacious studio at Craft Central as well as one-to-one mentorship from our community of designer-makers. This was an opportunity to continue their practice post graduating and contribute to a unique thriving creative community, accessing peer support and skills exchange.

The exhibition brings together the work they have produced in their time with us.

Private view 4 May 6pm -10pm

Open 03-19 May 10am - 5pm

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‘Making Process’ is the new work by artist Almha McCartan. Inspired by the dichotomy of past and present, her work is informed by traditional craft processes which are expanded into a contemporary sphere through expressive use of colour, pattern and intuitive experimentation with materials.

Almha’s work looks at the symbolic and emotive qualities of textiles and craft and how this relates to heritage, relationships and our environment. The exhibition consists of wall-hangings, quilts and objects using repetitive hand-painted motifs and patterns in contrast with minimalist blocks of colour. The work seeks to invoke an emotive and intuitive response, exploring the process of finding balance within opposition.

Almha McCartan is an artist, designer and facilitator from Ireland based in London. She graduated from the Royal College of Art in 2021 with an MA in Textiles. Her work moves across textiles, collage, sculpture and painting. She works predominantly with linen, second-hand fabrics and reclaimed wood offcuts.

Instagram:

@almha__mc

Website:

www.almha.studio

Contact:

hello@almha.studio

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Morgan Amber will be exhibiting her block printed spring collection. The work will represent a gentle approach to design and display a mix of organic khadi cotton fabric, printed using a hand carved woodblock and natural dyes such as madder root, indigo and pomegranate. Morgan has carefully designed each stage of the textile process, and then the fabrics have been produced by Mishika Crafts in Jaipur. Some of the fabric has then been developed into stylish interior products for the home by Morgan herself, in her studio at Craft Central. Morgan Amber wishes to build upon positive and open relationships with the makers involved and nurture the artisan way of life through celebrating beautiful and colourful textiles.

Morgan is a Chelsea College of Arts textile design graduate. After winning the Khadi Competition in 2020, promoted by Khadi London and the Indian High Commission, her designs were made in India and exhibited at the Festival of Natural Fibres event in London. She later worked for Where Does It Come From? and assisted on collaborative projects with companies who wanted to source ethical fabrics. She helped bring creative and ambitious projects to life through impact capture and met with suppliers in India. Morgan spent 6 weeks in Jaipur and for two weeks lived with a family who oversaw a printing unit in Bagru. She was able to shadow the artisans in practice and develop a detailed report into the working conditions against the global governments 17 Sustainable Development Goals, e.g., 1. No Poverty, 2. Zero Hunger and 3. Good Health and Well-being. Morgan made lifelong connections and developed her skills as a printer.

Instagram:

@morganamberprinting

Website:

morganamber.com

Contact:

morgan_amber@hotmail.com

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