Gillian Taylor

Theatre programmes

Gillian Taylor — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 22:13:13 +0000

I was commissioned to make a collection of envelopes using these wonderful old theatre programmes. It was an enjoyable challenge selecting the most significant pieces of text from the programmes and then making sure that they were still visible when the envelopes were put together. It takes a surprising amount of paper to make one small envelope.

There were some wonderful details on the programmes, including the lovely corner decorations and illustrations.

I worked closely with the framer to select the mount board which reflects the colour and feel of traditional theatre decor.

Remembrance

Gillian Taylor — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:36:55 +0000

As November 11th approaches, I’ve been thinking about Eric, an aircraft engineer based in Southampton during World War II. I’m fortunate enough to have Eric’s love letters, which is a great privilege.

Eric wrote to his love two or three times a week for five years with messages of love interspersed with news of everyday life during wartime. The anxiety and uncertainty of the separation make the letters all the more poignant.

I feel very privileged to own the letters which I have now used to make the poppies you see here.

Devon Open Studios

Gillian Taylor — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 21:30:18 +0000

On Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 September 2012, I’m exhibiting with two other artists during Devon Open Studios. We’ll be at Cockwood Village Hall EX6 8NU from 11am to 6pm on both days.

I’m showing some new work continuing on the theme of communication. Using a combination of hand cutting and laser cutting, I’ve made these poppies from original airmail letters written by an American GI during and after World War II. I’ve been trying to trace the family of the GI who wrote the letters and thanks to some supportive people in America, some interesting bits of information are emerging.

Seeking Sgt Schulist

Gillian Taylor — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 21:28:57 +0000

I’m searching for Sgt Joseph F Schulist 16005837 who was an American GI in World War II. He wrote to a WREN based in England and I’ve been using the love letters in my work. It’s a romantic story and I’d love to find him or his family to find out how the story ended.

Joe Schulist was from Milwaukee and moved around America after the war, so his family could be anywhere.

You can read about the story and watch the video. If you think you know someone who might be able to help, do send them the link to this post.

Lasers or scissors?

Gillian Taylor — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 21:02:36 +0000

I’ve just attended an amazing three day course at the University of the West of England, exploring printing and laser cutting paper. Laser cutting involves careful preparation of computer files and is more time consuming than just the process of cutting on the machine. You can, however, cut huge quantities of paper shapes relatively quickly. I will still be using scissors to make envelopes and other work by hand, but the course inspired me to explore different ideas.

Letter cards

Gillian Taylor — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:50:08 +0000

I’ve been commissioned to make a piece using some letter cards written during the 1950s to a young woman based in North Devon. The letter cards are beautifully dainty things and lovely to work with. I used a piece of the original ribbon that the letters were bound in.

More love letters

Gillian Taylor — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 09:02:05 +0000

I’ve made collections of small envelopes using love letters written during World War II. The writer, an aircraft engineer, wrote to his love two or three times a week.

I hope that people who see the work will think that I’ve given the letters a new life.

Exhibition 1-26 Feb at Atelier, Barnstaple

Love

Gillian Taylor — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 08:54:03 +0000

LOVE, and exhibition with a romantic theme, runs from 1 to 26 February at Atelier Gallery, Barnstaple.

My work includes collections of small envelopes created from original love letters written during World War II. The acrylic valentines shown here use fragments of the letters and hang from coloured ribbons, inspired by the way the original letters were stored.

More information about Atelier

Luggage labels

Gillian Taylor — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 18:27:52 +0000

I’m working with luggage labels at the moment. I have an old battered suitcase which must have travelled all over the place, each time with a different luggage label attached.

I’m using postcards too – the messages which travellers send home from their holidays.

The new work will be shown during Exeter Open Studios from 5 to 7 November at Mathew’s Hall in Topsham.

Devon Open Studios

Gillian Taylor — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:35:07 +0000

Getting ready for Devon Open Studios this weekend (Sat 11 & Sun 12 Sept 2010). I’m exhibiting in Cockwood Village Hall EX6 8NU with three other artists – photographer Roy Adams, watercolourist Tony Bird and printmaker Moragh Brooksbank. My work includes these collections of bundles of postcard fragments.

I’m still hoping to find the family of Joseph Schulist, the America GI whose wartime love letters I’m using to create a new piece of work.

The story was on TV in Wisconsin, but no luck so far. You can watch it on TMJ4 here:http://tiny.cc/3xd28