Cathy's Art Diary

Colourful exhibition at the Alison Jacques Gallery of new pieces by Sheila Hicks. This was a new gallery and a great space with two rooms on the ground floor and two more in the basement. I didn't know Hicks’ work but she is her late 80s. These are large, ambitious works made of textiles. Upstairs included an example of what is evidently a signature piece for her, "Talking Sticks" where she wraps bamboo in multicoloured fabric. I loved a massive piece which took up a whole gallery and consisted of great bundles of brightly coloured fibre. Downstairs were more monotone fine hangings called "Veil" and subtle woven pictures in pale colours. Closed 18 November 2023    

Colourful exhibition at the Hayward Gallery of textile art by Sheila Hicks. Hicks describes her work as working with “supple materials” rather than textiles. I loved the medallions she had done in gold thread for the Ford Foundation and the textured experimental decorative panels. For this show she had created “Sunset Pavilion Inhabited” a lovely work of large soft woollen bean bag style shapes in the pavilion space on the roof of the gallery. They were in bright cheerful colours and people were lounging on them and relaxing. A lovely use of the space.