Louise West

Lace is collection of threads combined to make patterns and goes back to the age of Egyptians. Until 1851 lace was made by machine. Lots of things can be done with lace to experiment, you can die it and create lots of different colours and use wire to create structures.

West enrolled at Derby University

In her first year she was approached by Nottingham Contemporary for a collaboration. She was asked to create a lace pattern that could be put into concrete for the cladding of the building. Photoshop had to be used to mirror an antique machine made lace because the handmade lace copy that she made would stick to the concrete.

The Nottingham Contemporary opened in 2009 with David Hockney and Francis Stark exhibitions.

MA in contemporary lace

First West created a lot of drawings of plants and rotting leaves because it represented historical antique lace very closely. Using silver clay she used her drawings and designs to create odd lace flowers and balls. Lots of them. Jewellery could be made from these materials and patterns. 

This is an image of the contemporary structures that she makes. I understand and appreciate that this piece would have required a lot of skill, patience and time. However I dislike this piece, to me it is quite boring. I am not interested in this type of art because it doesn't stimulate me visually.

In her second year she bought a studio because the university was inadequate for what she needed to do. She wanted to make a sculpture so she designed and made a pillow for the inside the structure that could be taken out when all the lace was finished.

In her final year; West wanted to use more contemporary designs and usages than historical. However she would stay with the theme of plants. This would start by looking at plant cells and DNA hat has been widely discussed  the biology circles. Lace columns were made with these patterns, West didn't state what it was made out of but from pictures it looked like bronze. This was her final piece.

A director for a documentary approached her and filmed her lace making. Buckingham Palace then approached them both to request for footage that they could use for a lace exhibition, it was put in the virtual guide.

This is an image of some traditional lace she has designed. This reminds me of very old cloths and clothing. 

West now runs her own courses in her studio for up to 8 people.

I personally disliked this presentation and the work that I was shown. I found West to be very monotone and unable to stimulate audiences that aren't particularly textile students. I am really disappointed with everything during this presentation.

I feel that her website and work is primarily aimed at students or people wanting to learn the skill because I don't find lace exciting enough to be anywhere other than on underwear, shirts and table cloths. 

www.louisewestlacedesign.co.uk