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KNITTED TEXTILE STUDENT AWARDS SPONSORED by the British Hand Knitting Confederation and GMC publishing Pictures by Geraldine Curtis & Dave Rotchelle Click here to view 2005 Entry Form |
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Review Knitted Textile Student Awards 2004
First Prize Winner Serena Fuller Knitting and Stitching Show Alexandra Palace and Harrogate The Knitted Textile Student Showcase, sponsored by the BHKC, GMC publication’s Knitting Magazine and Creative Exhibitions, was staged at Alexandra Palace and will go on to Harrogate in November. The work on display represented all aspects of knitted textiles from universities throughout the UK. A giant piece of beautifully presented cable knit by Rose Marie Mulcahy from Manchester Metropolitan University provided a stunning installation over 6 ft long. At the other end of the spectrum, Mandeep Dhiman’s intricately knitted fine wire jewellery in exquisite colours demonstrated the flexibility of knit to coil and manipulate into 3D shapes. The feather-light scrolly shawl from Debbie Bryan at Nottingham Trent University and the extraordinary spoon dress by Amy Bayliss from Ravensbourne College which was supremely elegant although quite heavy! The intricacy of the braids created by Hannah Hazell in fabulous colours and textures and the stunning patterning on the panel by Stephanie Fairless, both recent graduates from Buckinghamshire and Chilterns University College, were evidence, if it were needed, that knitting is a very contemporary and versatile art form. Their senior tutor, Fiona Ross RCA.MA, curated the Knitted Textile Showcase at Alexandra Palace and was also the tutor of last years’ winning student, Vanessa Standen. The professional presentation of this showcase drew crowds into the gallery on all four days of the show, impressing and inspiring thousands of visitors. Many commented on the professional presentation of the exhibited work. The Knitted Textile Student Award, now in its second year, was a BHKC initiative to project a positive and innovative platform for knitting and crochet in the 21st Century. There is no question that students of knitted textiles today have huge talent and have the potential to make great strides in the commercial and creative world of textiles today. ‘I never knew knitting could be like this’ was the constantly echoed reaction of enthralled young visitors to the show. An elegantly bejewelled and crocheted dress by Ingrid Walker was much admired and the bustier by Frances Ward, with it’s Elizabethan flavour were real show stoppers. Soft furnishings came in many forms, the practical and sumptious pouffes, by Sarah Cox from Northbrook, in delicious pastels and interesting knitted textures looked ready to sink into, whilst the whimsical ‘Loopy Stool’ by Jennie Debenham from Somerset University was more of a conversation piece with it’s soft yet aggressive spikes.
The student’s work was diverse and the standard astonishing, making the judging an incredibly hard task. However, after much deliberation, professional experts from the world of knitted textiles selected Serena Fuller from Middlesex University for the 1st prize of £1000.00 for her stunning garments combining fine and chunky knits with clever use of colour and contrasting textures. Her college will receive £1000.00 worth of yarn from the members of the BHKC and Senior Tutor, Andrew Bell, was delighted to hear of Serena’s success.
The second prize of £750.00 was awarded to Emily Burnham from Central St Martin’s with her selection of ‘Childhood Memories’, beautifully subtle shades and natural textures knitted in a web of names and notes symbolising friends and relationships of days gone by. Clare Tann’s soft and floaty dress was awarded the 3rd prize of £250.00 and this beautiful composition of fabulous yarns was created under the guidance of Senior Lecturer Marion Beck from Huddersfield University who will be curating the show when it moves to Harrogate in late November 2004.
Showcasing the best knitted textiles from universities throughout the UK has definitely fulfilled the BHKC’s objective to demonstrate the new approach to knitting and crochet in the 21st Century. Visitors to Alexandra Palace from abroad were also very complimentary and enthusiastic about the student’s work. Trisha Malcolm, editor of Vogue Knitting, said there was nothing of this calibre currently on show in America and would love to see such a showcase of this type travelling to the states at some point in the future. Visiting Principal Lecturer from a Textile College in Denmark, Hanne Pjedsted, said she would love to see not only the exhibition brought to Scandinavia but also an active exchange between textile students from colleges throughout Europe.
Click for This Year's Gallery Click for Last Year's winners For more information and additional images please contact Christine Kingdom on 0118 973 6796
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