ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
DEIRDRE NELSON

Stroud International Textiles is absolutely delighted to be working with Deirdre Nelson who will be based at the Museum in the Park in Stratford Park, Stroud as Artist in Residence.
She has been given access to the Museum’s stored archives and has spent time researching and studying the collection and from this study she has produced a completed body of work that will be exhibited during the festival.
Deirdre’s residency started in December 2009 and will be completed in May 2010.
Since graduating from Glasgow School of Art in 1992, Deirdre has pursued a parallel career in creating work for exhibition and commission and in working as a tutor to various groups.
Hand work and craftsmanship provide both direction and context in her work. Hand skills are employed in the work in a humorous commentary on social and textile history within the contemporary gallery and museum.
Her textile work employs a variety of techniques and materials fusing traditional textile skills and contemporary reinterpretation through photography and digital manipulation. Recent work involves collaboration with the animators rm-* which continues to fuse traditional skills with computer manipulation.
She has been Artist in Residence in a variety of locations from Sutherland, Outer Hebrides to Western Australia creating work for exhibition and with local communities.

She has recently been involved in the Artists Objects Project with the Museum of Wales where three artists were commissioned to create installations inspired by ceramic pieces within the collection.
It is this varied experience and innovative approach to her work that she will bring to the interpretation of the Museum’s inspiring collection. Taking inspiration from Stroud Five Valley’s rich heritage, Deirdre Nelson will use her skills to tailor her new body of work to that history.
Talking in cascades of enthusiasm, Deirdre is enjoying unearthing stories and quirky snippets to inspire her work. A twinkle lights her eye as we suggest opportunities to speak to the remaining few who may have stories to tell of textiles in the Stroud Valleys. It is such personal communication, anecdotes, puns and quotes which all hold particular fascination to her.
During the Residency there will be OPEN SESSIONS held within the Museum in the Park.
During these Sessions you will be able to meet Deirdre and talk with her about the work and her experiences as an Artist in Residence.
Dates for Open Sessions:
January 12th – 16th   11 am – 4 pm; February 9th – 12th 11 am – 4 pm

You will find Deirdre in the ‘public house’ upstairs in the Museum.
Schools and Colleges are welcome but please contact the Museum before coming.
Please contact the Museum for confirmation of times. 01453 763394
Museum in the Park, Stratford Park, Stroud GL5 4AF
www.museuminthepark.org.uk

See Deirdres' CV here