Invisible Threads are the Strongest Ties: Contemporary Tapestry – Fiona Hutchison and Joanne Soroka

Fiona Hutchison and Joanne Soroka are two prominent tapestry weavers who are showing new work at the Patriothall Gallery this May. While women’s art, and in particular textiles, has historically been sidelined by mainstream culture, today it is increasingly valued and celebrated.

Based on her own experience of sailing, Fiona’s work is inspired by all things maritime, enhanced by poetry and literature on the subject. She works primarily in tapestry but also in paper and recycled plastics, drawing the maximum from these media in two and three dimensions.

Inspired by her diverse ancestors, Joanne’s work reflects on the places they came from and their journeys as migrants to new and unknown lands. More recent work looks at the plight of refugees and the hazardous migrations of birds. She uses rich colours and textures to highlight these themes.

The two textile artists have both exhibited internationally, with their work held in public and private collections.

Each artist has a unique voice, but there are also many points of contact in their concerns and interests. Like weaving itself, the work is often about connections which are the strongest ties.

Born in Edinburgh, Fiona Hutchison is an artist and teacher working in tapestry and mixed media. Having graduated from Edinburgh College of Art with first class honours, then a postgraduate diploma (with distinction), she has gone on to travel the world promoting Scottish tapestry. She has networked with tapestry artists through attending symposiums in Lithuania, Russia and South Korea, participated in artist residencies in Norway and Scotland, and has taught across the USA with the American Tapestry Alliance. A professional member of the Society of Scottish Artists, she exhibits in solo and group shows at home, in Europe and across the world. She is a founding member of the European Tapestry Forum and STAR* (Scottish Tapestry Artists Regrouped).

Joanne Soroka was born in Montreal and graduated from McGill University, the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and Edinburgh College of Art, leaving with a post-graduate diploma (with distinction). She was the Artistic Director of the Edinburgh Tapestry Company (Dovecot Studios), before setting up her own studio in Edinburgh in 1987. She makes tapestries, other textiles and paperworks, with occasional forays into other media. Her work is in the collections of museums, well-known companies and hotels. She has won numerous awards. Joanne has exhibited around the world, with over a hundred group shows and eleven solo shows in twenty countries. She is the author of Tapestry Weaving: Design and Technique, now in its seventh printing.