User:Spillerjzy/sandbox

Summary
Lizzie Farey is a contemporary willow sculptor and artist based in Galloway, Scotland. She designs and creates wall sculptures and 3D forms using her own grown and harvested willow as well as other local woods such as ash, hazel, birch catkins and larch.

Her work is inspired by the natural landscape that surrounds her home and studio and draws on influences from Japan in her approach to capturing the simplicity, practicality and beauty of the materials themselves.

Early Life and Education
Lizzie was born in Singapore in 1962 and trained in fine art and stained glass at Canterbury College of Art and Cardiff College of Art. She turned to basketry in 1991, learning the first steps from her sister-in-law in North Wales.

Influences
"'I take my influences from the Galloway countryside where I live and work.  I am surrounded by hills, lochs, larch and heather, the essence of which I try to recapture in my work.  I grow my willow in nearby farmer’s fields and collect ash and other materials from the hedgerows.  My working life is governed by the cycle of nature.""The work leads me and stimulates me at the same time. The pieces that I forge create a sense of spaciousness and take on a life of their own.""I try to express the complex in as simple a way as possible the natural materials often having a quiet and still effect on the viewer.'"Lizzie Farey, 2012

Achievements and commissions
In April 2007 Lizzie travelled to Japan for the first time which inspired her to start developing her wall pieces.

In 2009, Lizzie’s solo show ‘Spirit of Air’ opened at the Gracefield Art Centre, Dumfries before touring to Edinburgh, Halifax and the Highlands and Islands.

In July 2010, her commissioned piece ‘Aerie’ went on display on the third floor of the City Arts Centre, Edinburgh.

In July 2011, her willow light installation ‘Heart’ went on permanent display in the newly refurbished National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh

Also in 2011, Lizzie was guest artist at the Cheongju International Biennale in South Korea.

Her work also travels to Connecticut U.S.A. where she exhibits regularly with Browngrotta Arts.

Selected Collections and Exhibitions
Victoria & Albert Museum, London, England

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh (The Cutting Edge; permanent collection)

Scotland House, Brussels, Belgium

Crafts Council, London, UK (Contemporary International Basketmaking, traveling exhibition)

National Craft Museum, Kilkenny, Ireland (European Baskets, traveling exhibition)

Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh (Visual Art Scotland)

Hove Museum & Art Gallery, UK (East Weaves West, Basketry from Japan and Britain, traveling exhibition)

Oxford Gallery, UK (Contemporary British Baskets)

Bluecoat Display Centre, Liverpool, UK

Sotheby’s, London, UK and New York, New York (Contemporary Decorative Arts; The Unexpected)

Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries, Scotland

City Art Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland (Spirit of Air, solo, traveling exhibition)