Emily Jo Gibbs
I’m hands on and encouraging. I’m keen to pass on my knowledge and passion for colour and texture and small precious packages.
What will students gain if they come on one of your courses?
A wide variety of simple techniques and how to combine materials confidently.
Are there any particular techniques/processes you use in your teaching?Straight forward silver soldering to make purse frames. Blocking/moulding fabric to make simple forms. Surface decoration using paint, stitch and layering.
What inspires your own work?I find beauty in tiny little pieces of moss, grass and peeling bark. I try to describe something that is extremely beautiful, very fragile and short-lived, using a palette of colour and texture. I am fascinated by the contrasts between materials, the texture and the shimmer of the beaten metal against the soft matt colours of the silk and wool.
Where can students see examples of your work?Craft Central Open studios Various exhibitions and on my website.
Where did you gain your training/experience?Wolverhampton Universiy BA honors 3D Design. Wood, Metals and Plastics 17 years as a professional maker.
What teaching experience have you had?I have been a visiting lecturer at The University of Creative Arts since 2005. I regularly run workshops at Craft Central. I have also done practical demonstrations and workshops in various Schools and Galleries including the V&A.
Is your work in any public or private collections?The V&A London The Crafts Council London Museum of Modern Art Houston
Have you written any books/had articles published?Tudor, Linda. Embroidered Purses: design and techniques. Wilcox, Claire. Bags. London: V&A. Wilcox, Claire. A century of bags: icons of style in the twentieth century. A wide variety of exhibition catalogues and editorial, including Crafts, Vogue, and The Financial Times.
Do you belong to any professional groups/societies?Selected member Photostore Selected member of The 62 Group of Textile Artists Selected member of Axis Network member Craft Central 1998 Formerly elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.