WORK OF THE WEEK: Justine Randall,1,The Night Sky: 7am Early Spring, 2019

Justine Randall
1, The Night Sky: 7am Early Spring
2019
Wool, cotton warp
170 x 170 cm
66 ⅞ x 66 ⅞ in.

7am Early Spring is the final piece in the sequence of five Night Sky Tapestries, currently on exhibition in the Gallery at Roche Court. The series documents the changing of light over the course of a night, and explores the feelings associated with these changes. Whilst the preceding tapestries explore feelings of excitement, solitude, and fear, 7am Early Spring offers feelings of happiness and peace. The liberation from darkness reflects the liberation of oppressive, heavy emotion. The great expanse of blue sky and high clouds promotes feelings of clarity and the optimism a new day brings. As the artist explains, ‘I love looking at the sky and the different permutations of cloud and colour, and the variety and depth of blues, greys and white, Turner’s skies are dramatic, wild and violent with colours that defy reality, but I am focusing on the calm, happiness inducing elements of stillness, lazy days and warm days walking in the sun.’ (Justine Randall)

Randall uses British wool in all of her tapestries, yet she experiments with different materials to create dynamic textures. In 7am Early Spring, Randall used silk mohair to portray the fluffiness of clouds, whilst the use of linen provides a harder, shinier edge. Randall explains that 'when you look at clouds, you’ve got that hard edge and then a soft edge.’ Through incorporating a range of materials, Randall's work offers the viewer an immersive experience. Standing in front of this large wall hanging, one is whisked away to a peaceful morning, 'the blue sky promises a good day ahead and promotes feelings of optimism and joy.' (Justine Randall)

Justine Randall completed her M.A in Tapestry in 1988 at the Royal College of Art in the painting school, where she was tutored by Mary Farmer. Farmer oversaw the movement of the Tapestry Course into the School of Fine Art. The fact that Randall was taught in a Fine Art department, as opposed to a specific textiles course can be seen in her use of colour and composition which has a painterly, abstract quality. Yet the depth of colour which can be achieved with weaving, and through Randall dyeing her own yarn, in combination with the large scale of these tapestries, the pieces are granted an intensity that is rarely achieved in paint.

Justine Randall Tapestries is on exhibition until the end of March, to book a visit or to find out more, please enquire below: