Jackie Remfry

Artist's Statement:
Because of work and family pressures, I have had to live away from East Anglia for many years. Always homesick, I have visited often, and am now back, living in Beccles.
I was taught embroidery at school in Lowestoft and went to Lowestoft School of Art.
Later, I was taught spinning and weaving by the wonderful Lore Youngmark, who wrote Foundations of Weaving with Mike Halsey.
As part of my employment history I managed galleries, including the Mercury Gallery in Cork Street, London and Smith’s Galleries in Covent Garden, London. I was involved with my ex-husband’s work for 20 years which included working with galleries in the USA and in Europe. Since then and for the last 20 years, I managed a charity called Poetry in Wood. This is a charity that teaches art, design and woodwork in co-production with people with learning disabilities.
My work is figurative and although I am not very good at drawing with pen or pencil, I can draw with thread. For preference I use cotton or silk to work on. I produce framed work and cards.
I am inspired by birds, flowers and the East Anglian landscape and surrounding coast. I work from my own photographs and observations from visiting Carlton Marshes, Minsmere and other like places.
Oriental embroidery is also an inspiration and does reference some of my work.