Artist Statement
I am a Birmingham based artist who creates portraits using nail and thread.
I am influenced by the traditional craft of hand-embroidery but my style of work puts a contemporary spin on threadwork.
My method of making consists of wrapping thread around nails which pinpoint the contours of the face to build up a mesh-like form made up of triangles. I build up layers and layers of these triangles to detail the subjects' features and create depth to the image.
My work is both bold but fragile. While the triangular forms in the subject’s face are strong and harsh, they contrast with the delicacy in the materiality of the thread itself. The accurate portrayal of the face combined with the depth of the nails creates a sense of movement and character in my subjects’ face.
Artist CV
Imogen Morris | Thread Artist
07833471370 | info@imogenembroidery.co.uk | www.imogenembroideryart.com
Education
Kingston University | First Class | BA (Hons) Fine Art & Art History | 2013
University of Gloucestershire | Merit | Art & Design Foundation Diploma | 2010
Solo Exhibitions
Upcoming June 2022: Digbeth Art Space “Threadbare: In Flux” Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
2019:Digbeth Art Space “ThreadBare” Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
Group Exhibitions
2021: The Artist Lounge, “In the History”, King House Gallery, Stratford-Upon-Avon, UK
Boomer Gallery “Vogue Second Edition”, Whitechapel, London, UK
Ikon Gallery, “Ikon for Artists” Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
2019: Digbeth Art Space, “ShowVend” Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
2018: The Anchor Gallery, “For the Love of Art,” Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
2015: Compton Verney Art Gallery “Museums at Night” Compton Verney, Warwickshire, UK
General Practice, “ArtHole” Lincoln, Lincolnshire, UK
2013: Kingston University “Degree Show”, Kingston, Surrey, UK
Stanley Picker Gallery Publication Launch of S&M, Kingston, Surrey, UK
2012: The Centre of Useless Splendour “SEMI”, Kingston, Surrey, UK
Competitions
2021: Third Place inThe Artist Lounge, “In the History” Compeition, King House Gallery, Stratford-Upon-Avon, UK
Highly Commended in 3D Category “Self Portrait Compeition”, The Art Yard, Cradley Heath, West Midlands, UK
Residencies
Upcoming: July – September 2022: Artist in Residence, Bankside Hotel (in conjunction with DegreeArt Gallery), London UK
2020 – 2021: Artist in Residence, Digeth Art Space, Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
Gallery Representation
2021: - Present DegreeArt Gallery, Somerset House, London, UK
Public Commissions
2020 : “Eyes” Public Art Commission | Commissioner: Art Quarter, Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
2019: Portrait of Mary Lee Berners-Lee | Commissioner: Innovation Birmingham Campus for the West Midlands Women in Tech Awards
Grants
2019: Materials Grant for “ThreadBare Exhibition” funded by Eaton Fund
2016: “Stitch Together” Quilt Community Project funded by O2 Think Big
Gallery Experience
Gallery Assistant | Maniere Noire Gallery, Berlin, Germany | April – May 2016
Art Assistant | OYAP Trust, Bicester, Oxfordshire, UK | January – May 2015
Gallery Assistant | Compton Verney Art Gallery, Warwickshire, UK | February 2014 – October 2015
Gallery Assistant | Eastside Project Space, Birmingham | September 2013 – February 2014
Gallery Assistant | Degreeart Gallery | August 2012 - September 2012