February 2024. Sue's exhibition Weaving Unearthed continues at Ruthin Craft Centre until 17 March. Sue will be giving an illustrated talk about her work, particularly that leading up to this exhibition, at 2.00pm on Saturday 9 March at the gallery. The catalogue to accompany the exhibiton is available from the gallery.
WEAVING UNEARTHED
Ruthin Craft Centre, Park Road, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 1BB 2024.
13 January to 17 March 2024
The catalogue Sue Hiley Harris: Weaving Unearthed is available from the gallery.
Ruthin Craft Centre
Solo exhibition
The Table, 43 Lion Street, Hay on Wye
31 August to 21 September 2024
The Table, Hay on Wye | e-catalogue from Sue's 2021 show
Sue's focus is on creating three-dimensional woven sculpture suitable for public buildings as well as small-scale pieces for domestic settings both indoors and outdoors. Recently, following a Creative Wales Award from the Arts Council of Wales, her work has developed and now includes collage and woven silver brooches and bangles many of which stand as sculptures.
I respond to ideas, shapes and geometry in nature and in life. The concepts for these structures are meticulously worked out yet they have emotional connotations and impact. They bring together pervasive themes in my life and art: encompassing the study of fine art, a fascination with geometry, an abiding interest in science and the environment, a deep understanding of the structure of yarn and the practice of weaving.
Examples of Sue's work can be seen in the gallery pages here on the website and more information about Sue can be found on the cv page. Details of current and forthcoming exhibitions, workshops and lectures, publications for sale and information about purchasing or commissioning work are on this page.
Sue has been researching the woollen industry in Brecon for many years.
She article, Brecon's Priory Woollen Mill: Weaving Through Four Centuries, was published in Brycheiniog, The Journal of the Brecknock Society, Volume L, 2019. Copies may be obtained from the Brecknock Society and Museum Friends or directly from Sue.
The Brecknock Society and Museum Friends
Sue Hiley Harris is available to give lectures / workshops on silk spinning, Australian Aboriginal string bag making and lectures on her own work and influences and on the woollen industry in Brecon.
Please contact her if you are interested and wish to receive further information.
Sue was awarded a Major Creative Wales Award by the Arts Council of Wales to explore hte possibility of making woven body sculpture. As part of the experimentation Sue has studied the body through attending weekly life drawing sessions. She has also studied historical costume and body ornament worn in many parts of the world and has learnt silversmithing techniques. Sue is now working on a body of new work infuenced by these experiments and new techniques.
Arts Council of Wales. Creative Wales Awards 2013
Ancestor Bags is a major installation which was shown at MOMA Wales in 2009 and at the Bankfield Museum, Halifax in 2011.
This, the latest work by the Australian-born sculptor weaver who has lived in Wales since 1981, is an installation of thirty suspended abstract works, each representing one of her direct British and Australian ancestors over four generations. Visitors are invited to walk amongst them. She was inspired after seeing an Aboriginal string bag in Oxford's Pitt Rivers Museum with an old label indicating that it had been used 'for carrying the bones of dead relatives.' It was similar to one sent by her mother. The details of the weaving, dyeing and construction of each work - as well as the materials used - convey coded information about members of her family. Shown together, the hangings are a unique visual exploration of ancestry. (David Moore 2009)
A catalogue is available. Details are below under Publications.
Ancestor Bags was supported by the Arts Council of Wales and the Usk Valley Trust
Hynafiaduron / Ancestor Bags: Sue Hiley Harris
Text by David Moore. Published by The Crooked Window, Brecon, 2009.
ISBN 978 0 9563602 0 5 paperback, 19.5cm x 21cm, 20 pages, Welsh and English text, illustrated.
This publication may be purchased from the Crooked Window website.
Crooked Window
8 Stones 8 Artists, Exploring the Beacons Way Art Trail
Text by David Moore. Published by Little Fish Press, 2007.
ISBN 978 0 9550617 1 4 paperback, 21cm x 30cm, 24 pages + 24 sheets tracing paper and two wax crayons, Welsh and English text, illustrated.
This publication may be purchased from the Crooked Window website.
Crooked Window
yma ac acw . hier und da . here and there
The Welsh Group and BBK Dusseldorf exchange catalogue.
Published by The Welsh Group, 2014.
ISBN 978 0 9560867 2 3 paperback, 15cm x 21cm, 132 pages,
Welsh, German and English text, illustrated.
Please enquire if you would like to purchase a copy.
Individual works are for sale. Prices range from £300 to £3000. Sue has undertaken many commissions for both indoor or outdoor sculpture and welcomes both public and private commissions. Please contact Sue if you wish to discuss purchasing or commissioning a piece of work.
Sue also welcomes contact from galleries interested in exhibiting her work on a short term or interested in representing her work.
images and text © Sue Hiley Harris
photography © Sue Hiley Harris unless acknowledged on the individual images
website design © Sue Hiley Harris 2017