A new solo exhibition entitled ‘Resurface’ by Convoy-based textile artist Deborah Stockdale is currently being showcased in the Mezzanine Gallery, Artlink Fort Dunree.
The display revisits themes and techniques Deborah explored in the years between 2000-2015. It is shown together with new work from Spring 2022 as we began to emerge or ‘resurface’ from isolation and the coronavirus pandemic.
Focused on natural objects, some at a microscopic level, Deborah’s colourfully painted, marked and stitched textile work explores organic imagery from diatoms to blossoms, from minerals to tidal zones.
Specialising in textiles that include quilts, banners and wall hangings, Deborah Stockdale has exhibited internationally – with several commissioned artworks also on permanent display throughout the North West.
She is also a creative and technical associate of Conflict Textiles NI (a collection of textiles exploring human rights and justice).
Derek Kelly, Rose Stockdale, Ciara Kelly, Deborah Stockdale and Rachel Stockdale.
For the new ‘Resurface’ solo exhibition, Deborah explains how she explores natural structures and forms, and uses microscopic images of plants, animals and minerals for artistic inspiration:
“We are surrounded by incredibly dense and complicated biomes (areas of our planet such as rainforests or woodlands with similar climates, landscapes, animals & plants) which affect every phase and process of our life on Earth,” she explains.
“So, in a very real sense, this artwork and new ‘Resurface’ exhibition is a celebration of that complex network.”
Founder of Conflict Textiles – Ulster University’s Roberta Bacic and Deborah Stockdale.
“My artwork is also characterised by textural embroidery and stitching. The images are painted, marked and drawn on fabric, which gives the colourful background. Then the pieces are layered, stitched together and hand stitched and embroidered. The surfaces are dotted with small knots and stitching which give the pieces a 3 dimensional texture and depth, the knots make small shadows as well, and the eye follows the lines of coloured threads to create a second complex structure on the surface of the pieces. Hence, Resurface!”
Mandy Blinco and Mark Hill at the launch.
“Importantly, after two years of isolation and the coronavirus pandemic, we are also now tentatively returning to normal social and family life, and so it is like we are all coming back to the surface after being in hibernation or retreat for a long time.”
Artlink Project Co-ordinator Martha McCulloch added: “Deborah’s exhibition has woven together a web of people we have worked with and been working with over the past few years. The themes that arise in this body of work echo our ongoing exploration of ecology and the use of science as a catalyst for creative output.”
‘Resurface’ by Deborah Stockdale will be showcased at Artlink Fort Dunree up until 25 July 2022 as part of the Earagail Arts Festival.
Free admission daily from 10:30am-4:30pm.
For further information visit artlink.ie email info@artlink.ie or telephone 0838696513 / 0864532428.
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