{"id":4515,"date":"2022-02-12T10:00:27","date_gmt":"2022-02-12T09:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homesandantiques.com\/?p=26654"},"modified":"2022-02-12T10:25:14","modified_gmt":"2022-02-12T09:25:14","slug":"meet-the-maker-sally-gilford","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/rss_feed\/meet-the-maker-sally-gilford\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the maker: Sally Gilford"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Molly Malsom\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Saturday, 12 February 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Artist, maker, collaborator, educator \u2013 Sally Gilford wears a variety of creative hats. Based at Islington Mill studios in Salford,\na hub of creative endeavour (where she co-founded screen print specialists One69A almost 10 years ago), she specialises in textiles.<\/p>\n

Currently working with researchers from the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research (WTCCMR), she uses microscopic biological images to create the vivid designs that adorn her fabrics, clothing, cushions, bags and other products.<\/p>\n

But that\u2019s by no means all \u2013 she\u2019s a member of >Thread { } collective, creating print designs using analogue and digital processes and human bio data, and teaches screen printing courses. She is also a creative practitioner, working with collections\nand exhibitions alongside internationally recognised galleries and museums.<\/p>\n

\""Sally\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n

What\u2019s your background?<\/h2>\n

I already had an existing interest in textiles from previous study at college and university and, although I went to art school in Manchester, it wasn\u2019t until after I graduated that I started screen printing. A close friend from university wanted to do a fanzine for another friend\u2019s cafe. He built a set up in the cafe\u2019s basement using outdoor security lights, taught himself how to screen print and published the \u2019zine \u2013 full DIY style!\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

I had started working as a freelance creative practitioner and thought that screen printing could translate really well into the work I was doing, so we both pretty much taught ourselves and things progressed really quickly from there.<\/p>\n

Within a few months we needed a bigger space. We moved into the basement of my rented house, but quickly outgrew that too, so we decided to quit our other jobs and go for it \u2013 that\u2019s when we moved into Islington Mill. Since then, screen printing has pretty much been a way of life.<\/p>\n

\""Sally\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n

What inspires your designs?<\/h2>\n

Humans and nature. I find patterns and colours in biology fascinating. I\u2019m very interested in using textiles and print to tell stories in unexpected ways.<\/p>\n

Tell us about your process<\/h2>\n

My base design originates from a photographic image captured by the researchers [at WTCCMR] using a powerful microscope. I digitally manipulate the design to change scale, colour and pattern, then separate it into layers to use for screen printing by hand on fabric. I enjoy using both analogue and digital processes as it allows for much more diversity.<\/p>\n

\""Sally\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n

Which other designers or makers inspire you?<\/h2>\n

I love pretty much anything by Timorous Beasties, particularly the recent collaboration with Bill Amberg at the Tom Dixon studio, which I went to see at the London Design Fair in September. I was pretty blown away by all of the work there \u2013 the hyperreal printed leather was incredible.<\/p>\n

What is Islington Mill like to work in?<\/h2>\n

Historically a textile mill, it\u2019s now home to over 100 artists working in a wide range of practices, continually evolving and creating together. I\u2019m lucky to work with some fantastically inspiring people.<\/p>\n

You might also like:<\/h4>\n