Moira Searle MSDC

Moira makes unique,handcrafted, felted clothing for women. Her inspiration comes from her love of the sea and shoreline and in particular the coastline of the Outer Hebrides. Her visits there have enabled her to gather a wealth of visual information that gives her endless possiblities in developing her work. Moira also has a passion for fashion and especially enjoys clothing from past eras. These also influence her ideas and in her minds eye she imagines them in cargo being shipwrecked and washed ashore, where they have become weathered and integrated with the shoreline.

Moira employs the technique of felting to create her unique pieces. This involves laying out wool fibres to a pre-designed template. Water and soap are then added and considerable friction which causes the fibres to shrink and mesh together. As well as wool fibres, Moira uses silk, angora, cashmere and plant fibres to add further textural effect. She also uses the technique of Nuno in some pieces whereby fibres are first laid on a backing of fine cloth such as silk before felting and this allows more fluidity in a piece. Colour is also an important element in her work and many pieces are either made using predyed fibres or she will make the whole piece in undyed fibres and then dye to create interesting textural effects. Recently she has begun to explore using natural plant dyes which she is excited to continue to investigate. Moira's initial training in Ceramics has enabled her to make hand crafted 'pebble' buttons for her pieces.

Education

1975 - 1979 B'Ed in Art at Goldsmiths College, London

1983 - 1985 Advanced Diploma in Ceramics, Goldsmiths College, London

2008 - 2010 Advanced Textiles course, Morley College, London

2011 - 2012 Experimental Machine Knitting, Morley College

Exhibitions

2010 Linear Gallery, Solo Exhibition

2012 Morley Gallery London, 'Made' Exhibition

2012 L'Artishe Gallery, Swanage. Group Textile Exhibition

2013 Greenwich Picturehouse Solo Exhibition

2013 Machine Knitters Guild Touring Exhibition

2013 V&A Museum London, 'Inspired By' Exhibition

2014 Made In Greenwich Gallery, London 'Natural Worlds' Exhibition

2014/16 'In Motion' A touring exhibiton throughout Europe showing work by 54 international felt artists.

2016 'Black Sheep - The Darker Side of Felt' A touring exhibition throughout the UK including work by the International Feltmakers Association members

2016 The Fish Slab Gallery, Whitstable 'I do like to be beside the Sea' a joint show with textile artist Diana McKinnon

2017 Capital Art Gallery, London Group Textile Exhibition

2017 Show Off Gallery, Whitstable 'Felt and Stitch' joint show with Diana McKinnon

2018 SDC Exhibition at Chelsea School of Art July 2018

2019 19th April to 12th May Felletin Patrimoine Environnemen. European Contemporary Felt Exhibition‘

2020 ‘Into the Light’ Oxmarket Gallery, Chichester August 25th August to 6th September

2020 St Saviours Winter Show, Highbury London. December 21st November to 13th December

2022 Bankside Gallery SDC Transformations Exhibition 15th to 26th July

Awards

2012 Highly Commended 2012 by Machine Knitters Guild

2013 Awarded Highly Commended by V&A Inspired By Competition

Memberships

Member of the Society of Designer Craftsmen

Member of the International Feltmakers Association