Judy Drysdale MSDC

Stitched & Constructed Textiles

About Judith
Judy is a textile artist whose passion for making things has been influenced by her love of history. Her research into the structures of historical crinolines and bustles; traditional methods of lace-making, and the ancient practices of weaving, plaiting, netting and twinning underpin her work. Drawing on her knowledge of these, Judy constructs three-dimensional line pieces which focus on the tension and interaction of the line formation within the structure.
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Textiles and making skills have always been a part of Judy’s life as she grew up with memories of her mother teaching her how to sew and her elder sister showing her knitting. In her early working years Judy joined local sewing groups and lace making classes. When her children reached school age Judy decided that she wanted to discover more and so enrolled on a City and Guilds’ course in Fashion. This led to her qualifying as a teacher and she taught for many years on fashion and arts courses. With a desire for further knowledge Judy then gained a Diploma of Higher Education in Stitched Textiles. It was here that Judy’s work took on abstract forms; she found pleasure in “playing with” yarns and fabrics. Yarns and wires soon took precedence over fabrics and she experimented creating dimensional line structures, testing the reaction of materials on them. After graduating, Judy set up her own practice making and exhibiting her pieces. When invited to join Studio 21, a group of textile and mixed media artists, Judy found working with other artists rewarding and now exhibits with them and also continues to work in her own practice developing and making unusual three-dimensional pieces.

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Qualifications
Diploma of Higher Education in Stitched Textiles (Distinction) 2009
City & Guilds’ Embroidery Pt. 2, 2006
City & Guilds’ Embroidery Pt. 1, 2004
Further & Adult Education Teachers’ Certificate 1993
City & Guilds’ Creative Studies, Fashion 1992
City & Guilds’ Fashion Skills & PWD 1991

Recent Exhibitions (since 2011)
2018
“Colour Notes” Knitting & Stitching Shows at Alexandra Palace, Dublin & Harrogate

2017
“Sewing Machine Project” Knitting & Stitching Shows at Alexandra Palace, Dublin & Harrogate

2016
“Sewing Machine Project” Lansdown Hall & Gallery, Stroud

2015
“Sewing Machine Project” South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell
“Chinese Whispers” Well House Gallery, Horndon-On-The-Hill
“25x25x25 Project” 25th Designer Crafts at the Mall 2015

2014
“Landmark” Contemporary Textile Fair, Teddington

2013
“Chinese Whispers” South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell
“Outrageous” The Attic, Pinner
“Chinese Whispers” Madeira ICHF NEC, Birmingham

2012
“Outrageous” Cow Byre, Ruislip

2011
“Continuum – A Sense of Place” Festival of Quilts, NEC

Memberships
Embroiderers’ Guild
Society of Designer Craftsmen
Studio 21

Other Makers in Stitched & Constructed Textiles