Artist Statement

Allison James is an art quilter who makes wall hangings and textile art that is inspired by both the natural and built environment. Her work uses bold colours and graphic designs to create dramatic pieces that catch the eye. Sometimes representational, but more often abstract, her work usually combines a variety of techniques – improvisational piecing, applique, machine quilting and hand embroidery - that come together to help define and refine each piece of work.
Allison is a member of Studio Art Quilts Associates and also of a new international exhibiting group of art quilters – 20perspectives. This group has recently exhibited work in France, Germany and the USA.
She also belongs to Ecostitchers, an exhibiting group of textile artists based in and around the Peak District, which produces a wide variety of high quality and innovative textile art exploring environmental and climate change. As Ecostitichers, the group tries to work in as environmentally conscious and sustainable way as possible, using materials that they already have, repurposing, reusing, recycling and sharing amongst the group rather than simply buying new. Each member of Ecostitchers works independently, inspired by a theme chosen for the year, and for 2023, our theme is No Rain, No Flowers. This new exhibition will have its premiere in Beeley Village Hall as part of the Derbyshire Open Arts Festival.