Morgan Geller and Gabriela Sokolowska
6 August - 15 August
Thursday - Sunday, 12-6pm
Opening: 5 August, 6-9pm.
All welcome. For visitor information click here
Courtesy of OUTPOST Studios, Norwich, ‘Textiles Talk’ features recent artworks from 2020 Norwich University of the Arts Textile Design graduates Morgan Geller and Gabriela Sokolowska. The exhibition explores spiritual growth, sustainable possibility and our natural environment, in the hopes of sparking a conversation on how we can open our minds to beyond what is in front of us; to remain conscious in the face of beauty.
MORGAN GELLER
Thread Your Eco Ego
Morgan Geller’s exhibited collection features her two recent projects ‘One Foot in Wave’ and ‘Lost Verdigris’, which explore the manmade stresses on our tropical coral reefs and rainforests. With the language of woven design, these works present the coexisting beauty and harsh reality of what is happening to the world’s diverse habitats. Using rare and environmentally friendly yarns such as Chinese nettle, tencel and locally spun wool, responsible design is a key aspect and a driving force to Geller’s work. Exploring ideas of freedom and spontaneity, this work is also inspired by Abstract Expressionism, intertwining her specialism of weaving with painting.
GABRIELA SOKOLOWSKA
We Are More Than We Think We Are
Gabriela Sokolowska’s work concerns itself with her beloved subject, spiritual growth, which she began her journey with four years ago. The collection contains handwoven samples which represent each chakra, referring to the energy centres in your body, which must remain open, or balanced, in order to function at their best and prevent physical or emotional symptoms developing in response to the blockage of a certain chakra. There are seven main chakras, which run along your spine. Sokolowska’s textile work is produced from yarn which is either end stock, gifted, or bought from a charity shop; a sustainable approach is crucial to her practice.
A conversation between Millie Norman, Morgan Geller and Gabriela Sokolowska
Millie: How has sharing the studio space as joint Graduate Scheme holders influenced your individual practices?
Gabriela: We have been working quite independently due to our different schedules, but we were still able to support each other. Sharing materials has been really useful for both of us. For example, I looked at Morgan’s colour palette and then at my resources, and I had this material which I had got from the charity shop that I could give to her, which was really nice. Then, when I was doing my project, I saw that I was missing a particular blue colour, which Morgan had, so she let me use it. We are both trying to be very resourceful and responsible in our practice. It was also great to share our ideas - like the bookmarks we have had made, different things. It was great to ask for advice in more technological and methodological matters, too.
Morgan: It’s been really nice to be able to see each other’s work - we aren’t often able to be in at the same time (especially given lockdown, but because our work is on the loom, I can see what Gabriela’s been working on and it has really inspired me. It also drives me to get on with my work! It’s been really beneficial sharing - we definitely want to share a studio again.
MN: As you mentioned, responsibly sourcing your materials is very important for both of you - what role does sustainability play in your practice?
GS: It’s very important to me. During my education at Norwich University of the Arts, it was a real focus in lessons and workshops. The technicians sourced yarns from Fairfield Yarns, where they buy end-of-stock yarns from weaving mills, so it is, again, reusing. I try to re-use all my materials. I used these materials in my end-of-year piece, which was awarded by Creative Conscience 2020. It is crucial for my work.
MG: The textiles industry is going through a difficult time with regards to sustainability. It’s become more common recently to be more sustainable with our clothes, etc. I make sure I source my yarns sustainably, and that they are as sustainably made as possible. I try to source locally, but if I have to buy rare threads (such as banana silk, sustainable cotton, nettle yarn) online, I really make sure that I research that yarn first and ask the shop not to use any unnecessary packaging.
MN: Gabriela - the main focus of your work in the show is on personal growth and spirituality. Could you tell us a little about your journey with this and how it has come to influence your work?
GS: It is something which has changed my life. Around four years ago, I split with my daughter’s father, and I began to look for different solutions, asking myself questions - what happened, why it happened - trying to understand what I need better. There is a saying: ‘When the learner is ready, the teacher appears.’ I found a mentor, followed her advice, began doing online courses (which I am still doing today), and I started to meditate.
There is a big misconception about meditating - that you have to sit still and be zen - but I love meditating while moving. I go for a run or a walk while I listen to my guided meditations. I write affirmations, I journal, work on manifesting. From the pain, came a passion. I have goosebumps talking about it now, because this project combined my two real passions - spirituality and self-growth, with textile design.
MN: Morgan - one of the central themes of your work in the show is the environment. Could you tell us a bit about your featured projects and the role of environmentalism in your practice?
MG: The first project is called ‘One Foot in Wave’, which is a play-on-words with ‘one foot in the grave’, which alludes to being close to death. The idea behind this project was to spark a conversation about how we can be more conscious of our marine habitats and how much stress they face - from climate change, human activity, overfishing, overpopulation. I wanted to picture the beauty of it, but also use colours that represent what these habitats are going through: that’s why I’ve used browns and muted tones. My work has always been about trying to make a positive change and start a dialogue with people which makes them more environmentally aware.
My other project is called ‘Lost Verdigris’, which is about deforestation and landscapes, which is why there are a lot of browns and greens, olives. I try to theme a lot of my projects around the environment. I’ve also done a project about the Arctic, which two pieces in the exhibition are from.
MN: Could you tell us about the title you have chosen for the exhibition, Textiles Talks, and for your individual projects?
GS: We considered having a longer title, putting more focus on sustainability and eco-textiles, but I realised that I wanted to have a title that also encompassed spirituality and the human energetic system that my work explores. So we chose Textiles Talks as our base title, as our projects tell a story together, but they also tell a story apart, which is why our projects have different names.
MG: We are both textile designers, and we are both weavers, so we knew that textiles needed to be in the title somehow. We chose ‘Textiles Talks’ because you look at the work and it speaks to you. Art is subjective - it will speak to you in a different way to someone else, but it is there to spark a conversation and get people thinking, in this case about their mind, body, soul and the environment.
Photography: Andrew Gooding
