2017 Highlights

On 10th February 2017 my work was exhibited with Sue Ryder as part of Light Night Nottingham. I was also invited to run a workshop inviting Sue Ryder visitors to unpick labels from rags that would later be assembled in a new piece of work. In April I had the pleasure of meeting Diana Ali from the Big Painting Challenge at the Private View of the Summer Exhibition, Institute of Mental Health Nottingham University. I also met members of the International Churchill Society at a Champagne reception including Churchill’s Grandson Randolph Churchill. In May I launched a project offering an exciting opportunity for Duke of Edinburgh Award holders to participate. The portrait was a huge success and was exhibited at Royal Tailors Kent, Haste & Lachter in Mayfair, London, and later in Derbyshire to celebrate the Queen and Duke’s 70th Wedding Anniversary. I also had fun creating a canvas of R2D2 from used labels relating to space and planets.

It was a wonderful achievement to produce a commission of Jane Austen for the 200th celebrations at Winchester Cathedral, which also saw the launch of the new ten-pound note. I was interviewed on BBC Radio Derby and BBC Radio Nottingham, also appearing on BBC TV Breakfast and in the BBC Radio Times Magazine. Not forgetting a two-page spread in Australia’s Homespun (Designer Edge) Magazine.  Two of my original works from the collection of 20,000 used labels were sold to collectors and a selection of my work is now available at The Makers, Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

Now looking forward to an exciting 2018.
Happy New Year.

Bank of England at Winchester Cathedral

I travelled down from Derbyshire to be part of the whole day celebrations at Winchester Cathedral for the 200th Anniversary of Jane Austen’s passing. It was an amazing day with diverse events including the launch of the new ten-pound note by The Bank of England. The Dean and Dr Gillian Dow made special tributes to Jane Austen, not only about her very special resting place at the Cathedral but also how she now has the ability to travel the world in our pockets and purses. The Dean, Catherine Ogle also praised their summer exhibition, ‘Inspired by the Word’, and how artists had been selected to create art. It is an honour to have my portrait of Jane Austen, made from labels and pins included in the exhibition, particularly with such a local and global dedicated audience (ends 30th Sept 2017). 

Private View at Winchester Cathedral 21st June 2017

Inspired by the word exhibition official opening, Jane Austen 200 years. 

Out and about this week

I had the pleasure of meeting Mark Dennison at BBC Radio Nottingham this week, promoting my opportunity for Duke of Edinburgh participants to be part of my next portrait. Also lovely to meet Diana Ali at the summer exhibition launch at The Institute of Mental Health, Nottingham. You may have seen Diana presenting the BBC Big Painting Challenge. 

Winchester Cathedral exhibition 8th June-30th Sept 2017

Joy Pitts is assembling a contemporary portrait of Jane Austen. 71 words from the opening paragraph, Chapter 1 of Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice are woven onto 4000 cotton tapes and assembled in Austen’s face using only dressmaker pins. The background of the canvas is covered with 1000's of nametapes listing the 16 main characters.

Winchester Cathedral - Inspired by the word

Work in progress: 71 words.
A contemporary portrait of Jane Austen for Winchester Cathedral. 71 words from the opening paragraph, Chapter 1 of Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice are woven onto 4000 cotton tapes and assembled in Austen’s face using only dressmaker pins. The background of the canvas is covered with 1000's of nametapes listing the 16 main characters.
Exhibition at Winchester Cathedral from 8th June - 30th September 2017.