Abstract
Made in the Middle exhibition has been a recurring feature in Craftspace's programme and has charted four decades of professional contemporary crat practice in the Midlands. Each exhibition, with its rich array of work, has provided a lens through which to reflect on the societal, technological, and environmental changes since the previous iteration.
Working across textiles and ceramics, Zoe makes vessels that explore our relationship to materials and the value we place up on them. She is known for creating hand stitched 'ceramic patchwork 'pieces that rework discarded mass-produced materials, using the process to breathe new life into treasured possessions. Exploring circularity, she is experimenting with different waste streams to ensure the work can be compostable at end of life.
Made in the Middle showcases two iterations of practice research which explore the potential of eggshell biomaterial as a ceramic substitute. Pumpkins and squashes as well as hand-spun and hand-knitted nettle fibre cordage act as moulds. Material approaches are seasonally driven with vegetables grown on her allotment and nettles harvested from its margins. The eggshells are stockpiled from home food waste. Slow design defines all stages of the process with considerable time involved in cleaning, sorting and processing raw materials to get them to the start of the creative process. With the outcomes of Zoe's research increasingly moving away from mass-produced precision, the work looks to listen to what natural materials want to do and channel this potential.
Tour Schedule
Leicester Gallery, De Montfort University, Leicester / 25 January - 22 March
Hub, Sleaford / 5 April -6 July 2025
Deila Derbyshire Gallery, Coventry University / 21 July - 29 August 2025
Nuneaton Museum and Art Gallery / 22 September - 22 November 2025
Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham / 14 February - 12 April 2026
Working across textiles and ceramics, Zoe makes vessels that explore our relationship to materials and the value we place up on them. She is known for creating hand stitched 'ceramic patchwork 'pieces that rework discarded mass-produced materials, using the process to breathe new life into treasured possessions. Exploring circularity, she is experimenting with different waste streams to ensure the work can be compostable at end of life.
Made in the Middle showcases two iterations of practice research which explore the potential of eggshell biomaterial as a ceramic substitute. Pumpkins and squashes as well as hand-spun and hand-knitted nettle fibre cordage act as moulds. Material approaches are seasonally driven with vegetables grown on her allotment and nettles harvested from its margins. The eggshells are stockpiled from home food waste. Slow design defines all stages of the process with considerable time involved in cleaning, sorting and processing raw materials to get them to the start of the creative process. With the outcomes of Zoe's research increasingly moving away from mass-produced precision, the work looks to listen to what natural materials want to do and channel this potential.
Tour Schedule
Leicester Gallery, De Montfort University, Leicester / 25 January - 22 March
Hub, Sleaford / 5 April -6 July 2025
Deila Derbyshire Gallery, Coventry University / 21 July - 29 August 2025
Nuneaton Museum and Art Gallery / 22 September - 22 November 2025
Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham / 14 February - 12 April 2026
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Place of Publication | Birmingham |
| Publisher | Craftspace |
| Publication status | Published (VoR) - 25 Jan 2025 |