Yet Another Grand Day Out - Pamela Rawnsley at Ruthin Craft Centre

 It was with a heavy heart that we went along to Ruthin to see a retrospective of the brilliant work of the silversmith and jeweller Pamela Rawnsley.  I have loved this lady's work for many years, the line, the style and the consummate execution of all her work.  Her pieces are so beautifully constructed and finished that you wonder at her skill.  Sadly Pamela died in 2014 quite suddenly and she is much missed.

If you get a chance to visit Ruthin Craft Centre before the 12th of April it is well worth it.  The exhibition is quite extensive covering her silversmithing, jewellery and prints.  It was good to see so much of her work together.

Along side Pamela Rawnsley is work by the ceramist Simon Carroll, an expressionist potter.  The scale of some of his pieces was mind blowing, very free and wonderful colours but it was the gallery showing Southern Lines and Northern Lights, a view of design practice in Wales that was a real surprise.  It was a selection of talented Welsh designers showing meticulous prototypes of production pieces and one off creations.

Sian O'Doherty

The artist who I really reacted to was Sian O'Doherty and her stitch pieces.  These delicate modern embroidered works are amazing.  Tight and neat they had a professional polish. If you visit her website she makes lovely scarves and cushions all with this fantastic finish.

Hannah Wardle's laser cut lighting pieces were also very good as was Sian Ellin's wonderful surface pattern pieces. We had a great couple of hours and really enjoyed a homemade cake and coffee in the little cafe on site.  A grand day out for Easter and highly recommended.