Drawing Parallels
Drawing Parallels is the title of an exhibition at Ruthin Craft Centre in North Wales. We made the trip to Ruthin specifically for this exhibition.
On display was a collection of works by Pauline Burbidge, textile artist and Charles Poulsen, sculptor. I knew about Burbidge and had seen some of her work in various exhibitions and came here to see a fuller collection in one place. I didn’t know much about Poulsen, beyond that he is Burbidge’s husband and they live and work in the Scottish borders. Seeing their work together was much greater than the sum of the two parts.
Charles Poulsen 28th March 2020, Allanbank Series 2
Pencil, wax, gouache on paper 153 cm square
Charles Poulsen 28th March 2020, Allanbank Series 2 (Detail)
Pencil, wax, gouache on paper 153 cm square
In this exhibition it was not Poulsen’s sculptures that were on display, but his drawings. They were mostly large pieces of work using pencil, wax and gouache on paper.
The drawings were not in frames, apart from the frame created by the border of the drawing.
It was good to be able to get close to the work to examine the marks and then step back again, understanding better how the effects are achieved.
Pauline Burbidge Quiltscape: Before the Dinosaurs, 2021
Textile wall hanging, stitched and collaged fine cottons and silks; cyanotype printing, mono-printing, paint drawing and rubbing on cloth. All fabrics made fast and laundered before applied. 207cm x 206cm
It is difficult to know which of Burbidge’s work to include here, every one of the pieces had much to recommend it, however I have chosen Quiltscape: Before the Dinosaurs as it includes such a variety of techniques.
As well as the surface treatments of printing, drawing, and collage, Burbidge uses both machine quilting and hand stitching to great effect. The close-ups of the front below allow you to see some details of the quilting.
Pauline Burbidge, Quiltscape: Before the Dinosaurs, 2021 (detail)
All of Burbidge’s quilts were hung so that you could see both the front and reverse. The design on the front of the quilt below is drawn directly on to the cloth. The quilting in white thread provides texture to the front and another piece of art on the reverse. This pleases me - I try to make the reverse of my (much simpler) quilts interesting by including blocks on the reverse; I shall now be thinking more about the quilting too.
Pauline Burbidge, Quiltline: Lavender hedge, 2021
Practical and functional quilt for use on bed and wall. Wholecloth, drawn cotton fabric, machine and hand stitched, made fast and laundered. 225cm x 168cm
Alongside the quilts and drawings the exhibition also gave us a glimpse into both artists’ practices, with samples of their sketchbooks and also short videos. It all begins with the sketchbook, and mark making.
A key takeaway from the exhibition for me is to continue mark making - and not to worry about making a realistic copy of what I am drawing. I did sit and sketch some details from the quilts - and I remembered again how drawing encourages me to look closely, to understand the line and shape.
As a side note I have always said I didn’t want a long-arm quilting setup, but having seen how Burbidge uses hers for drawing in stitch I may have changed my mind!
Thank you to Ruthin Craft Centre and Curator June Hill for putting on such a great exhibition.
Postscript
At the beginning of August we had the opportunity to visit Allanbank Steading, for the Open Studio held by Pauline and Charlie. What a privilege to be in Pauline’s workspace and talk to her.
