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. 

Labeling Beauty: The Work of Joy Pitts by Derek at Put This On

Some people resist labeling, but Joy Pitts has made a career out of it. The British artist recycles clothing labels – often collected from charity shops that would otherwise turn them into rags – and transforms them into brilliant works of art. Each piece is made by pinning individual labels against a canvas, using dressmaker pins, until they form a greater image. We recently talked with Joy about her work:

How did you land on this style of art?  READ ARTICLE HERE

Queen Elizabeth II - 4 Day Exhibition

By popular demand the Queen Elizabeth portrait will be available to view for 4 days in a Nottingham Gentleman’s Outfitters window to coincide with Her Majesty’s official birthday celebrations in June.  It is an absolute privilege to show the work in the window at: -

Smalley’s
54 Derby Road
Nottingham
NG1 5FD
0115 947 3853
Open 11:30am until 5:30pm

Established in 1888, Smalley’s has more than a century of experience in providing luxury men’s clothing and first class tailoring. An amazing shop well worth a visit, offering Hatter-Made To Measure Suits-Classic Menswear-Regimental Ties-Medal Mounting.  With special thanks to shop owner Mr. Brandon Harris. www.smalleysgentsoutfitters.co.uk

DATES
From 1pm on Wednesday 8th June 2016.
Until 5pm on Saturday 11th June 2016.
Shop opening times 11:30am until 5:30pm. 
Not available to view after the shop has closed due to the window shutters. 

Artist Joy Pitts will be at site on Friday 10th June from 2pm until 5:30pm and at other times by request.

Directional Note
Smalley’s is situated towards the bottom of Derby Road (one-way Street) on the right hand side as you leave Nottingham and four doors up from The Strathdon Hotel. Parking is available outside the shop and continues up Derby Road (both sides) payable by parking meter.