Threads across Continents – Then Nantes

I hope you enjoyed the previous post about my time in Melbourne. After that, and 48 hours of continuous travel, I arrived in Nantes, and Pour L’Amour du Fil. A huge thanks to Wonderfil Threads for inviting me to be the featured artist.

What an experience. To share my work with such a receptive, generous audience was deeply affirming. I heard the word “Superbe” and “Magnifique” more than once, and many commented on how different my pieces felt against mostly traditional work shown. What seemed to resonate most were the stories behind each piece – the personal narratives and emotional threads woven into the fabric.

One of the most fascinating and moving parts of the exhibition was simply sitting and watching which pieces people gravitated toward. Even with my rusty French, I was able to have some lovely exchanges, and to listen – to really see what moved them. Many were drawn to the depth and intricacy in the work. Some told me they felt it – right in the solar plexus – as if the piece had reached out and touched something visceral inside them. That kind of connection is hard to describe, but impossible to forget.

I was delighted to meet the incomparable Spanish artist Aitor Saraiba – his work is unique and stayed with me. We had great chats and even took time for a few photos. I have his book to read next.

It was a wonderful moment when I realized that Maryse Allard was exhibiting her work not too far from where I was. Her work with Pojagi is incredible and I took the time to explore and look at each one of the pieces in display. Such perfection!

I met Anne Bellas who offered me a wonderful tour of Nantes and a dinner in her home, where I got to see her beautiful work and studio.

Here are some images for you to enjoy. And if you’d like to read more about her upcoming series of work – highly recommended – here’s the link to her newsletter. In the Portfolio, you can read about this new series of work called 30 Variations and 2 Arias – A tribute to JS Bach.

I also met Sarah Hibbert, who I had met online years ago and then finally had a chance to meet in person in Sitges in 2023. I was so happy to see her in Nantes again. Not a lot of time to spend together, as she had her own exhibit and was teaching, but we did get a chance to see each other’s work and take a photo with Maryse.

So many cherished moments …

A few more favourites from the show in Nantes: From an exhibit called Japanese Gardens. These two quilts below caught my attention, and they were by the same artist, who I had a chance to meet later on when she came to say hi. Her name is Kuniko Saka. The red piece is called “Byakuren” – 152 cm x 150 cm and the second one is “Otaksa” – 194 cm x 181 cm. Stunning work!

A few more photos from that exhibit:

The photos below are from an exhibit by Reiko Kato and her students. Beautiful and intricate work in a small scale using wool and hand embroidery.

Lions International Challenge presented by the Lions Club of Quilters Victoria – Australia.

Another exhibit, this time by Misao Wada. Small works, wonderfully detailed and presented. Most of these were sold. She is a Japanese artist who is famous in her country both for her poetry and for her textile work. She started working with textiles when she was 20 years old. From her teacher, a great Japanese textile artist, she learnt how to combine the subtlety of detail within the technique of practical raw applique by free hand cutting each piece. She works with old kimono fabric. 

Another great exhibit set up like someone’s living room, full of wonderful stitched details to look at. I love the teacups made as pincushions with all the embroidery. Even the pins were beautiful!

Another artist I met and admired – and later I had a chance to spend some time with discussing threads and art – was Daniele Deletang. Her hand embroidered work is intricate and multi-layered. She uses recycled yarn she gets at thrift stores by purchasing old sweaters and taking them apart. Or bags of discarded yarn. I would love to take a class with her.

A whole cloth piece by Jacqueline Audouin-Dubreil called “Arabesques” – 140 cm x 140 cm. Incredible work. I stood in front of it for a while admiring all the details created with the stitching and boutis.

I am back home now, a bit more rested, and organizing myself for some teaching at the Saskatchewan Stitches Conference at the beginning of May – still time to register for classes. And then I’m off to the Quilt Canada – close to Toronto – mid May. Once again, there’s still time to register for classes. Lots to choose from …

hope you enjoyed a glimpse of some of the work displayed in Nantes at Pour L’Amour du Fil. Thanks for reading. Until I write again, enjoy the sunny days …

Ana