Crafted Minnie set for art show
A FORMER Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School student is staging her first art exhibition in the town as part of the Ashbourne Festival.
Minnie Reed will be showcasing her graduate collection “Crafted Tactility” at the festival’s pop-up event space at Number 17, St John Street, alongside the work of her peers and flatmates Adélie Beese-leroux and Jessica Davies.
The students decided to flat-share during the final year of their degree in textile design at one of the most prestigious art schools in the world, Central Saint Martins.
Unfortunately, Covid restrictions prevented them from attending the college in person and their shared home had to become their studio.
Not only did they complete their degrees in their bedrooms with limited access to specialist equipment, but also missed out on providing the degree show they had hoped for.
Minnie saw the space at 17 St John Street as an opportunity to share and celebrate her graduate collection. She said: “You embark on an arts degree with that final degree show in mind. It’s really exciting to think that one day it will be you.
“Not having that show to look forward to at the end of such a difficult year was quite upsetting, so now I’m making sure my work gets celebrated.”
Minnie returned to Ashbourne in the last weeks of her degree to have her pieces photographed by local videographer Joe Cammiss Low, whose images and video will also be on display in the exhibition.
The show is called “Cast Off”, which is said to be a play on words representing knitting, Minnie’s chosen specialism within textiles, as well as the end of her degree.
It will run from Monday until Saturday, September 18.
As well as their collections, the graduates will be showing some of their portfolio and sketchbook work and would welcome anyone considering applying for art school to come in and talk to them.
There will be live demonstrations of a knitting machine in action, items for sale and a some opportunities to get involved.
Minnie explained: “Knit and Natter coffee mornings invite complete beginners as well as experienced knitters to come together and knit for a couple of hours. Whether they bring their current knitting project or just an interest to learn.
“There will also be the chance to book a one-to-one knitting machine lesson with me throughout the week, with no previous experience needed.
“I can’t wait to show people what knitted textiles can be.
“My collection is about celebrating slow crafts and I’m excited for the opportunity to share that message and get people knitting.
“I’d encourage anyone to visit whether it’s to see the exhibition or if you just need someone to cast on some needles for you!”
To find out more, visit minniereed.wixsite.com/folio