Shape shifting

Shape shifting is the title of the exhibition by the Westhope Group currently showing at the Lace Guild Headquarters. The theme is interpreted in several ways from biological metamorphosis in the case of Anne Dyer to ghostly shape shifting in the work of Ann Wheeler. Gil Dye takes another approach and uses seven 17th century motifs from Richard Shorelyker’s ‘Schole-house for the needle’ published in London in 1632 to illustrate seven linear patterns. Both bobbin and needle lace are well represented, depending on the lacemaker’s expertise, and it’s also good to see contemporary tambour lace in Robina Melville’s work. My favourite piece is Ann Allison’s hanging of asymmetric circles, which also features on the poster, part of which can be seen in the picture above.