2018 Highlights & News

2018 has been an exciting time in my exhibition calendar with the focus around Savile Row, London. I have produced highly detailed work in collaboration with Piccadilly tailor Benson & Clegg. A canvas so precisely measured that it tested even my technical skills. The portrait of King George VI is a permanent feature at Benson & Clegg and lists the George Cross recipients awarded from 1940-2018. Please visit the shop to view the portrait during opening hours you would be most welcome.

I have also produced a portrait of Horatio Nelson using Savile Row’s Davies & Son bespoke label. Although minimal in design compared to King George VI this canvas also tested my skills. It is clear to see my decision-making processes allowing the visible sketch to be seen and making suggestions of Nelson’s coat rather than including the whole detail. 

A highlight of 2018 was selection for the Royal Academy 250th Summer exhibition, both portraits selling at the private views and a second commission as a result of the exposure, thank you Royal Academy. I must also mention a local exhibition at the wonderful 19th century Framework Knitters Museum in Ruddington, Nottingham back in May 2018, it was great to be involved in this exhibition.

Looking ahead to 2019 I can confirm that I will be showing work as part of the INNOVATE exhibition at Derby Royal Hospital from 18thMarch, and also taking part in North Norfolk Open Studios from 25thMay – 9thJune 2019. 

Dairy Cow with 5000 used labels & pins

Dairy Cow evolved following the collection of 20,000 used labels, gathered from garments identified as rags. The research was centred around identity and consumerism, also a realisation of how much we need and rely on cattle. The 1.3 metre canvas attracted much media attention and won the £2000 prize at Weston Park Open Exhibition, Shropshire in 2011. It has since been the focus of several solo exhibitions and site specific window installations. 

Dairy Cow has been admired by many, viewers often returning for a second or third viewing to contemplate my technique. I am delighted to say that today Dairy Cow was sold to an extremely happy customer and now resides in a new home in Derbyshire. 

Joy Pitts Dairy Cow.jpg

2016 Highlights

What a fantastic year! 

It began on Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II birthday with an invitation to exhibit the royal portrait in the window of bespoke tailors Meyer & Mortimer, Mayfair, London. The portrait then toured to Smalley's, a Gentleman's outfitters in Nottingham for the official celebrations in June, followed by an invitation to attend a street party at Bakewell Old House Museum, Derbyshire. The royal portrait made from names taken from a Derbyshire War Memorial then spent the summer at Derby Museum, where residents were thrilled to find WW1 family names in the artwork. Finally in 2016 the portrait was selected for exhibition at the prestigious Bishops Palace, Wells, Somerset. It was here that Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall viewed my work hanging amongst the historic portraits in the Long Gallery. 

Also worth mentioning is my portrait of Sir Winston Churchill, a collaboration with three of Churchill's selected outfitters on Savile Row and St James, London. Known as Britain's 'Best-dressed PM' Churchill's portrait toured to the three windows in the Autumn of 2016. 

My work also appeared on BBC FOUR MAKE #craftbritain in June and in several newspapers and publications including Country Life Magazine and The Radio Times. 2016 concluded with a commission for Bromley House Library, an artwork to celebrate 200 years of this amazing library in Nottingham Market Square. Please feel free to visit the library to view the work in the new reading room. 

I am now looking forward to 2017, and to sharing my work as new projects and exciting collaborations evolve.

Best wishes for a happy and prosperous new year. Joy Pitts. 

DAIRY COW exhibition at Sue Ryder DE7 8AH

At age eight Sue Ryder was given two Jersey cows and subsequently began her own dairy herd, which grew to twenty-four. Young entrepreneur Sue sold the milk and butter from the door and scrubbing her dairy was her favourite job. I wonder what Sue Ryder would think of this Dairy Cow assembled from 5000 used garment labels, all generated through charity donation on Ilkeston High Street. ‘Dairy Cow’ has been described as ‘an extravagant rescue of fashionable waste’ and in the current global milk crisis offers the viewer a strong sense of community.

The exhibition ‘20,000 Used Labels’ continues at The Lally Gallery, Erewash Museum, Ilkeston, DE7 5JA from 11th Sept – 30th Oct 2015.

The Museum is FREE to enter and is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10am until 4pm and is situated just off the Market Place.

READ BBC NEWS  - NOTTINGHAM WOMAN MAKES ART FROM LABELS