Tea with digestives: Exhibition : Black Sheep The Darker side of Felt

When I think of my own the craft uses of felt, I usually think of cute and pretty decorative or useful items such as felt decorations, flowers, pencil cases and small bags but felt is an amazing material. It doesn't fray and can be matted together by needling and rubbing techniques thus being a great medium for creatives and artists. The designs and creations can be very interesting, elaborate and inspiring, especially if they are three dimensional.

Forty Hall currently has an exhibition called 'Black Sheep: The Darker Side of Felt.

This touring exhibition from the National Centre for Craft and Design, Sleaford, UK brings together textile artists who have used felt to create unexpected, often strange but technically amazing pieces made of felt art work. The work included 3D sculptures and designs which move away from the idea of felt as a flat sheet material and demonstrate the seamless way amazing sculptures can be created with felt.

The artists :

Barbara Keal

Elodie Antoine

Gladys Paulus

Horst Couture

Marjolein Dallinga

Stephanie Metz

Maria Friese

It is currently on at Forty Hall & Estate, it started in January and can be seen until 8th May 2016 before it moves on.

This piece is called 'Icelandic Ram' by Barbara Keal, photo by Philip Volkers

Animal hood sculpture installation by Barbara Kael, photo Scott Murry

Stag Hood by Barbara Kael, photo Scott Murry

Barbara Keal is an East Sussex based artist who is inspired by real and imaginary animals. Her hoods combine sculpture, craft design and fashion.

Horst Couture's felt gowns are one of a kind designs by Thomas Horst.

Horst Coutre felt dresses, photo by Scott Murry

Horst Couture gowns, photo by Scott Murry

Felt Teddy bear skull by Stephanie Metz

Trio of Skulls by Stephanie Metz

Stephanie Metz is a Californian artist who has created a Teddy Bear Skull series. She is inspired by the natural world but more interested in the overly domesticated creatures. She created Teddy Ruxpin as part of her series.

Marjolein Dallinga is Dutch Canadian and created this moss sculpture.

Sculpture by Marjolein Dallinga, photo by Scott Murry

Gladys Paulus is from the Netherlands and her work demonstrates a balance between simplicity and complexity and she gets inspiration from her European and Indonesian heritage.

Holy Bowls by Gladys Paulus, photo from gladyspaulus.co.uk

Elodie Antoine’s work consists of experimental felt creations that look scientific and biological.

Grands Feutres Tranchés was originally made and exhibited for a gallery that was formerly an ancient Butcher shop. The shapes are reminiscent of pieces of meat.