MARJORIE COLEMAN:
LYRICAL STITCH – CATALOGUE

MARJORIE COLEMAN — Lyrical Stitch. Publication foreword by Janet Holmes à Court

I first encountered Marjorie Coleman’s artwork in 2019 at the survey exhibition, Following the Thread, Let the Cloth Speak. This show was highly recommended by a number of friends, and for good reason. On display was an exquisite array of stitched works with a mesmerising level of detail.

I was captivated by the richness and diversity of subjects pictured and ideas explored across nature and culture. Indeed, I quickly became aware that Marjorie stitches ideas; spanning from scientific theories including quantum mechanics, and literary visions, to image catalogues of things to remember and illustrations of the simple stuff of everyday existence.The works in this show offered insights into Marjorie’s bright mind and curious attitude towards life and the world that surrounds her.

For the Janet Holmes à Court Collection, I acquired a delicate white on white silk organza work titled Full Fathom Five. This piece references Shakespeare but it also has a personal connection to Marjorie’s passion for snorkelling. It pictures an underwater scene of lyrically arranged sea creatures, corals and plants. This piece, and other works by Marjorie, has a rhythmic quality about it, as well as a vibrancy and a curiosity, as though a passion for living is channeled through needle and thread to be crafted into finely detailed needlework of incredible pictorial compositions. Following this exhibition, it was a logical progression to invite Marjorie to have a solo exhibition at the Holmes à Court Gallery. It is my great pleasure to welcome the works to the gallery walls and to take part in a celebration of the treasure that is Marjorie Coleman.