Exhibition Extended

Just a quick note to say that the exhibition of '471 Gems' at Erewash Museum, Ilkeston DE7 5JA has been extended for viewing. The final day that you will be able to search for your name is Saturday 30th October 2021. Erewash Museum is also open every day week commencing 25th October, 11am - 3pm as it is half term.

Special thanks to all essential workers and volunteers.

My journey

I wanted to go to Art College when I left school but my parents encouraged me to get a ‘proper job’. For 20 years I worked as a Civil Servant at The Nottingham District Land Registry and later at HMRC. I began to study art when my children started school, although I always did the school run and family was always a priority. That’s the thing with art you can work around obstacles and I often worked in the evening after their bedtime. I studied art for 7 years and loved every minute of it, I was awarded MA Fine Art with distinction in 2005 from Nottingham Trent University. My work with garments and labels simply evolved through a programme of exploring and manipulating a wide range of materials.

Joy Pitts #joynextthesea

Joy Pitts #joynextthesea

Studio research & new work

I have been sourcing materials and making new work launching in 2020.

Planning and making new work is such an investment as it takes time and research to produce a thought provoking successful image. The intense pinning process also takes its toll on my fingers which need time to recover between the specific stages of production.

I have some exciting work in progress including a Black Swan set in a landscape of used clothing labels, unpicked from rag garments. Other waterfowl are also of interest if I can locate the specific labels to reproduce these colourful birds. Following the success of 2019 I will be participating in Norfolk Open Studios again which runs from 23rd May to 7th June 2020.

Detail Black Swan.

Detail Black Swan.

SAVE THE DATE 27th Sept 2019 4-7pm

Joy Pitts and THINK in NG, Cobden Chambers, off Pelham Street, Nottingham NG1 2ED request the pleasure of your company on Friday 27th September 2019, 4 – 7pm. 

Earlier in the year my artwork was selected for the THINK in NG Open Exhibition and subsequently won a peoples vote including an opportunity to show my work again in the Gallery. 

I am pleased to tell you that as part of my exhibition I will be showcasing the Duke of Edinburgh portrait displaying the names of D of E Award holders who put their name forward for inclusion.

For more information about THINK in NG visit http://www.thinkinng.org

RSVP joy@joypitts.co.uk

Duke of Edinburgh Joy Pitts2.jpg

1 Ton = 3000 Used Garments

Like birds and humans, garments also migrate from one country, region, or place to another. Starting their life as a plant for harvesting, followed by weaving and finishing, garment production, shipping and distribution. These 3000 garments have been intercepted allowing them to pause at St Margaret’s Church before they complete their journey abroad to new communities and trade. Arranged in a circle and linked by their sleeves the sculpture reflects the support and inclusion offered in the context of the Church.

Cley Contemporary Art 2019
Cley 19 - BORDERLINES
Exhibition dates: 4th July - 4th August 2019.
I will be installing a sculpture at St Margaret’s Church, Holt Road, Cley, Norfolk, NR25 7TT, comprising of approx 1 ton of used garments.

St Margaret’s Church

St Margaret’s Church

Peoples Prize

My work recently exhibited at THiNK has been awarded the Peoples Prize, a mini solo exhibition for two consecutive weekends early autumn 2019, including a Private View. Thank you to everyone who voted and attended the exhibition.

THiNK Meeting Rooms & Art Gallery, Cobden Place, Cobden Chambers, off Pelham St, Nottingham NG1 2ED

Autumn Beauty 2019 With the underside of woven clothing labels and dressmaker pins on canvas 90 x 90 cm.

Autumn Beauty 2019
With the underside of woven clothing labels and dressmaker pins on canvas 90 x 90 cm.