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Cas Holmes

Maidstone
Interested in the liminal spaces connecting land, place and environment. Artist, author and tutor works in mixed media with found materials and stitch. Author of several publications for Batsford
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Background. My training is in Fine Art (painting and photography) I work between the disciplines, painting and mixed media textiles.I am a writer and an author, my most recent publications are  Embroidering the Everyday 2021 and Textile Landscape (Batsford 2018) 

FOUND STITCH PAINT I am interested in land as a reference; flora, patterns in nature, the world within my footsteps. I re-use found materials and textiles, fascinated by their prior history and hands that have held them. My concern is political, social, as well as climatic change. I approach this through the media I use and the connections found in the places I work (personal experiences, connected stories, materials and imagery). 

Career path Following my degree my understanding of paper and related media was further enhanced through two periods of long-term study in Japan in the mid to late eighties with Fellowships (supported by the Japan Foundation and the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.) I continued research with an Arts Council Award to India in 2006. I work on commissions and in the public sector in addition to developing my personal practice. The challenge of working on site-specific projects and in workshops offers opportunities for professional development.

Publications Soulful Stitch (with Deena Beverley) 2024, Embroidering the Everyday 2021, Textile Landscape 2018, 'Stitch Stories' 2015. The Found Object in Textile Art 2010  Connected Cloth (co-written 2013) All Batsford publications.

Commissions. Work in textile and mixed media combining paint, dye, print, photography and stitch techniques. Projects include a commission as part of Gypsy Maker 4 and 6 with the Romani Cultural and Arts Company 2020-24 , Caring Hands a Homeless Charity in Chatham and Farnham Pottery 2017, the Garden Museum, London 2014/5, Sevenoaks Kaleidoscope (museum, art gallery and library) Kent, a commission for the Princess Royal Hospital, Pieces are also held in private and public collections including the Museum of Art and Design New York and the Embroiderer's Guold UK.

Teaching I teach on the short course programme at West Dean College, where I also worked as resident artist and was commissioned to make work for the collection (supported by the Edward James Foundation.) I exhibit and run projects and workshops in the U.K. and overseas

Check my website www.casholmes.co.uk  for current details

 

Gypsy Makers Tour –

Storytellers Kent Creative

The Shipping Forecast

Pani Kekkavva (Kettle) Wagtail

The Downs Wind Torn

North Westerly

Places, Spaces, Traces for The Romani Cultural & Arts Company

Painting With Cloth

Red Trees

The Medway Gap

Front Cover Stitch Stories book

Trees

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