Textile artist and teacher, Karen O’Shea
Inspiration
From childhood, I was inspired to draw, make, sew, and use tools to fix things. Primary school introduced me to the potter’s wheel and I dug clay from our garden. My ceramics and life drawing skills were honed at The Wedgwood Institute in the Potteries. Studying for my BA Hons Arts and Crafts, I discovered a love of papermaking and mixed media textiles including stitch.
Teaching and making
A textile artist and qualified teacher I’ve a passion for sustainability and recycling materials. I love to inspire others into creativity, especially stitch. I teach online and in person for organisations like Cardiff and Vale Mental Health Network and at locations including: Cardiff School of Art and Design; The Art Workshop, Rhiwbina; the Rural Skills Centre; in schools; care settings and at community festivals. Two short video workshops are available at: Cultural Cwtsh
My work can be bought at occasional markets. Please contact me to buy anything that catches your eye.
Exhibitions
On my creative journey, I’ve participated in and curated exhibitions, including:
Mar-Apr 2022: Llantarnam Grange, Newport: Contributed stitched textile panels to an exhibition by Ruth Singer’ exploring the lives of women in Stafford Jail.
Sept – Nov 2020: Exhibition of Textile Artworks by Cardiff Textile Artists, Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny: Curated an exhibition of my textiles students’ work.
Aug 2020: Petal Power, Maindee, Newport: Giant outdoor stitched cornflower
Summer 2020: Arts on a Postcard, Josef Herman Art Foundation, supporting MIND: Stitched artwork
Aug 2019: Photo Stories, St Mellons Hub, Cardiff: Curated a community photography exhibition of residents’ reflections on St Mellons.
2019 Sharing the Same Jeans, Wellfield Road, Roath, Cardiff, UK: Taught embroidery on recycled jeans, and curated an exhibition of community work in shop windows
Oct 2018: Solo exhibition of handmade paper, Giles Gallery, Pontyclun
2018: Artworks by Residents Exhibition, Sunrise Elderly Living, Cyncoed, Cardiff: Curated an exhibition of students’ mixed media artworks
2017: Cut and Sew, Workers Gallery, Wales, UK: giant hand-woven Welsh love-spoon
Oct 2017: Made In Roath Open 2017, Cardiff, Wales, UK: “Love from Cardiff” – hand weaving onto a giant unique digitally milled giant Welsh love-spoon
6 – 17 Mar 2017: Marrakech Exhibition, Cardiff School of Art and Design, Wales, UK: Curated an exhibition of 23 artists’ works and sketchbooks plus own woven textiles inspired by a visiting Marrakech
29 May 2015 – 2016: Elements Exhibition, Saundersfoot, Wales, UK: selected artworks
26 May 2015 – 2017: Summer exhibition, Coastal Galleries, Saundersfoot, Wales, UK: selected artworks
19 May 2015 – 20 June 2015: Y Galeri May/June exhibition, Y Galeri, Caerphilly, Wales, UK: selected artworks
7 April 2015 – April 2016: Exhibition, Button Tree Lane, Fishguard: selected artworks
3 Jan 2015 – 7 Feb 2015: Caerphilly Open Art – Winter Competition, Y Galeri, Caerphilly, Wales, UK: “A rubbishy lovely walk to school” handmade paper and mixed media
Jan 2015 – Feb 2016: Caerphilly Open Art – Winter Competition, Y Galeri, Caerphilly, Wales, UK: “Hive Vis” handmade paper and mixed media
5 Dec 2015: The Giles Gallery, Pontyclun, Wales, UK: Selected artworks in handmade paper and mixed media
20 Nov – 31 Dec 2015: Christmas Exhibition, y Galeri, Caerphilly, Wales, UK: selected handmade paper and mixed media
20 & 30 Nov & 4 Dec 2015: Hub Creations, The Hayes, Cardiff, Wales, UK: Artworks in handmade paper and mixed media
1 Oct – 17 Dec 2015: Roath Open Art Exhibition, Waterloo Tea Rooms, Penylan, Cardiff, Wales, UK: “The People and Coastline of Porthcawl” handmade paper and mixed media
Sept 2015: Tabernacle Art Competition, MOMA, Machynlleth, Wales: “Hive Vis” handmade paper
10-16 August 2015: Grand Pavillion Summer Exhibition, Porthcawl, Wales, UK: selected works in handmade paper and found objects
1-14 Aug 2015: Kooywood Gallery, Cardiff, Wales, UK: My Art Challenge Wales winning piece in handmade paper and mixed media “The People and Coastline of Porthcawl”
6 Jun – end Jul 2015: Art challenge Wales Exhibition, Porthcawl, Wales, UK: Artworks by entrants and winners including my 1st prize winning piece in handmade paper and mixed media
1988-99: Exhibition, Coventry Cathedral Gallery, England, UK: selected artworks in handmade paper and mixed media
1999: Exhibition, Helios Fine Art Gallery, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK: artworks exhibited alongside holocaust artist Sheila Millward and woodcuts by Albrecht Dürer.
1998: Elements on tour, Mercedes Benz, Binley, Coventry, West Midlands, UK: handmade paper exhibited as External Show by students of BA Hons Art and Craft Studies, Coventry University
1998: Elements, Lanchester Gallery, Coventry University, Coventry, West Midlands, UK: handmade paper exhibited by Final Year students of BA Hons Art and Craft Studies, Coventry University
Publications
Imago Mundi, Welsh Collection of Luciano Benetton: “Fresh from Pembrokeshire” – handmade paper and mixed media is included in the permanent exhibition which tours the world.
“History, Origins and Practice of Paper-making”, BA Hons Degree dissertation, 1998
Awards
Oct 2016: Sharing Together, Arts Council of Wales, Welsh Government and National Lottery
Autumn 2016: Bursary, Art Challenge Wales
Dec 2015: Winner, Cardiff Metropolitan University Flash Fund
2015: First Prize Winner, Art Challenge Wales: http://www.artchallengewales.co.uk, Porthcawl
Apr 2015: Winner, Cardiff Metropolitan University Flash Fund
Karen O'Shea Art 