Breaking the Pattern

American Museum, Bath

18 March – 29 October 2017

Normally at the Print Affair we cover all things print but on occasions we broaden our horizons and look at other surface pattern techniques. My attention was caught by an upcoming exhibition in Bath by the vibrant colour placement of Joyce Petschek work and I contacted Helen the press officer of the American Museum in order to learn more.

Northern Lights

I would recommend the American Museum to you all. There was plenty to see including a fabulous “Jazz Age” exhibition of clothing, Joyce Petschek, grounds full of crazy knitted items and the permanent museum display which includes native American, early settler to early last century artifacts. This is a great day out in a fabulous rural surrounding on the edge of Bath by the university.

Infinity

American Joyce Petschek has been passionate about Bargello needlework for much of her life. Instead, however, of trying to preserve the history of this tradition within its rigid confines, she is ‘Breaking the Pattern’ and reinventing the genre. The American Museum in Bath is hosting her first exhibition in the UK.

Joyce lives in Tuscany and London, hand-stitches her designs primarily in silk threads to create works of intensely rich and luminous colour.

Heart & Wisdom

The artist hand-stitches her designs primarily in silk threads to create works of intensely rich and luminous colour. Joyce begins stitching without any preliminary sketch of the pattern itself. She often works on several pieces at a time, selecting her silk threads first and then stitching onto the canvas, always following her intuitive inspiration.

Infinity

Each new work can take anything from a few months to a year to complete. In addition to unique wall textiles, Petschek has a special interest in reworking antique furniture, combining her designs with striking fabrics to give each piece an exceptional ‘out of time’ appearance.

Uranus

Intuition

Long renowned for its textile collection, the American Museum owns several examples of eighteenth-century flame-stitched objects and will juxtapose these pieces with Joyce’s work throughout the manor house to create an immersive exhibition experience.

Thanks to Helen Keel for her help with this post;

Helen Keel, PR and Communications – helen.keel@btinternet.com 07970 998232
www.americanmuseum.org

American Museum in Britain, Claverton Manor, Claverton, Bath BA2 7BD 01225 460503

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