TEXTILES TALKS

Morgan Geller X Gabriela Sokolowska
Exhibition 2021; Partnership with Outpost Studios and Creative Conscience

Courtesy of Outpost Studios in Norwich, Textiles’ Talk features top artworks by Morgan Geller and Gabriela Sokolowska’s most recent collections. Both artists have graduated from Norwich University of the Arts in 2020, with a degree in Textile Design - specialising in woven textiles. The exhibition works explore spiritual growth, sustainable possibility and our natural environment, in hopes to spark a conversation on how we can open our mind to beyond what is in front of us, and to be more conscious whilst also appreciating something beautiful.

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Morgan's showcase exhibits two projects titled ‘One Foot in Wave’ and ‘Lost Verdigris’, which recognises the multiple stresses on our tropical coral reefs and rainforests, caused by human activity and climate change. Using the language of woven design, these collections express the beauty, yet also the harsh reality of what is happening to our diverse habits around the world. As the textiles industry navigates its way through a time of difficulty, sustainable alternatives in raw materials have become a growing interest. Geller aims to be as sustainable as possible in her practise - using rare and environmentally friendly yarns such as Chinese nettle, tencel and locally spun wool. "Responsible design is a key part to my textile practise and is a driving force to my work. I am currently influenced by the Abstract Expressionism art movement, intertwining my specialism of weaving, with painting." She enjoys the freedom and spontaneity of expressions, but also angular and straight edges; to her, it’s interesting how there is satisfaction in two opposites and seeing how they combine.

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Gabriela's work directly corresponds with her beloved subject - spiritual growth. She started my journey in this field four years ago and it has had a significant influence on everything she does, including her artwork. This collection contains handwoven samples representing each chakra (in Sanskrit, the word ‘chakra’ means ‘disk’ or ‘wheel’) which refers to the energy centres in your body; these wheels or disks of spinning energy each correspond to certain nerve bundles and major organs. To function at their best, your chakras need to stay open, or balanced. If they get blocked, you may experience physical or emotional symptoms related to a particular chakra. There are seven main chakras that run along your spine. They start at the root, or base, of your spine and extend to the crown of your head.

Sokolowska's textiles are produced from yarn that is either end stock, given or charity shop buys, as a sustainable approach which is continuously very important in her practice.