Ann Symes

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60/80 Milestones for two artists

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80 woven experiments

Woven work has been included regularly in exhibitions Ann has curated but she never felt inclined to weave herself until the opportunity arose in the last quarter of 2023. The immediate excitement in the process and the fact that it felt an entirely natural way to work, completely surprised her. 

 

Essentially, it has been a process of learning by doing, observing, making mistakes and asking for help while, as usual, preferring to find her own way. Early on, Ann decided to weave in a straightforward way without learning complicated techniques: simple equipment and tools calling for simple methods to allow the yarns their full expression. 

 

Through an interplay of techniques and materials, Ann's creative work has always explored surface and texture: texture often achieved, for example, with mark making through drawing, burning, etching or the carved marks in a Japanese woodblock. With the endless choice of yarns available, weaving has opened up a world of possibilities for further exploration. Now, mark making comes in the form of beads made by the weft material, either packed closely together in repetition, an open weave exposing the intersection of the warp threads, through combining fibres or from the yarns themselves.

 

Ann has approached weaving intuitively as a tactile conversation between fibres with each material bringing its own narrative and personality to a piece. With her focus on the characteristics of the selected yarns, she observes how they sit alongside each other and, at the same time, keep an eye on the overall quality of the flat, fine, open or textured surface emerging. For someone who finds colour difficult, discovering a love for colour blending and how subtle variations are made possible, has been exciting and is something to experiment with further. 

 

The persistent graphic designer in Ann continues to ensure a balance with colour, tone and shape within the confines of the warp threads. As a 2D artist used to working on a flat surface, the interaction of weaving into the warp threads to form a three dimensional structure, is particularly interesting. The flexibility it offers allows for both freedom and control.

 

At first, warping the frame was a challenge but now it prepares her mind to become focussed on the weaving that will follow. The slow nature of weaving and the concentration needed empties the mind, making space for realisations and observations.

Pliable yarns, soft to handle, are calming to work with, enable rhythmic weaving and are like having an easy conversation. In contrast, weaving stiff, resistant yarns can be like coaxing a stubborn child to co-operate and requires more time and effort. Taking the rough with the smooth - weaving has always provided metaphors for life.

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Click images for details and if you are interested in any of Ann Symes' work please enquire below.​​​​​