STITCHES IN TIME
An Exhibition of Needlepoint
The Original Work Of
David Evans and Nigel Quiney
from 1979 to 2007
and to celebrate David’s Sixtieth Birthday
Nolias Gallery and Coffee Shop
201 Liverpool Road London N1 1LX
(Junction with Richmond Avenue)
Wednesday April 25th
until
Monday April 30th 2007
11.00 am until 6.00 pm daily
Private View Saturday 28th April 6.30 – 9.30 pm
The process of original needlepoint is achieved first by drawing a design onto tracing paper and transferring this to canvas and by simply taking the correct needle with a thread of prepared wool, making a diagonal stitch over one thread of the canvas and proceed to follow the line of the design. There are three simple primary methods of stitching; half cross stitch, continental stitch and diagonal tent stitch.
During the late Victorian and Edwardian periods needlework, or needlepoint, was considered a craft or hobby, not considered an art form, that was enjoyed by the middle and upper class lady with many servants and therefore, too much unoccupied time at their disposal. Towards the later half of the twentieth century attitudes changed and the activity of needlepoint is accepted and seen as an art form by the majority and produced by both men and women.
The art of needlepoint has rarely been displayed more fully than by these original works achieved here by David Evans and Nigel Quiney. For the past twenty-eight years either individually or together they have embarked upon their passion for designing and making needlepoint. Whilst other exponents conveyed patterned work and uniformed exhibits, the Evans Quiney ethic was to express a free, colourful and at times a complex subject matter carefully woven. Essentially their oeuvre has also documented everyday life, a visual diary of events, inspired by literature, horticulture, architecture and observations of their extensive travel experiences and, of course, art itself.
These works trace their history together as devoted partners utilising emotional aspects of their world, the upheavals, the joy, the beauty, the humour and the tragedy, that strikes a chord within us all. Each needlepoint evokes a memory often wonderful and in some instances the opposite. They convey a truthful narrative paying homage to their world not just through poetic script, verse, quotations and sayings but involving the viewer in a visual experience of imaginative design and a broad sense in the use of colour provided by intelligent composition.
Each and every exhibit is a statement produced with panache all of which are not just pleasing objects but exist as practical forms that include wall hangings, cushions, pillows, mirrors, mounted table tops and upholstered furniture. I sincerely hope that viewers of this exhibition comprehend the enormous energy, dedication, creativity and love of needlepoint that David Evans and Nigel Quiney display in their fascinating and unique work.
David Minns, London January 2007
During the late Victorian and Edwardian periods needlework, or needlepoint, was considered a craft or hobby, not considered an art form, that was enjoyed by the middle and upper class lady with many servants and therefore, too much unoccupied time at their disposal. Towards the later half of the twentieth century attitudes changed and the activity of needlepoint is accepted and seen as an art form by the majority and produced by both men and women.
The art of needlepoint has rarely been displayed more fully than by these original works achieved here by David Evans and Nigel Quiney. For the past twenty-eight years either individually or together they have embarked upon their passion for designing and making needlepoint. Whilst other exponents conveyed patterned work and uniformed exhibits, the Evans Quiney ethic was to express a free, colourful and at times a complex subject matter carefully woven. Essentially their oeuvre has also documented everyday life, a visual diary of events, inspired by literature, horticulture, architecture and observations of their extensive travel experiences and, of course, art itself.
These works trace their history together as devoted partners utilising emotional aspects of their world, the upheavals, the joy, the beauty, the humour and the tragedy, that strikes a chord within us all. Each needlepoint evokes a memory often wonderful and in some instances the opposite. They convey a truthful narrative paying homage to their world not just through poetic script, verse, quotations and sayings but involving the viewer in a visual experience of imaginative design and a broad sense in the use of colour provided by intelligent composition.
Each and every exhibit is a statement produced with panache all of which are not just pleasing objects but exist as practical forms that include wall hangings, cushions, pillows, mirrors, mounted table tops and upholstered furniture. I sincerely hope that viewers of this exhibition comprehend the enormous energy, dedication, creativity and love of needlepoint that David Evans and Nigel Quiney display in their fascinating and unique work.
David Minns, London January 2007
