Printed reproduction of an original embroidery artwork by James Gladwell.

• Print size - A3 (29.7 x 42cm)
  
• Original artwork size - 140 x 130cm
• Sold unframed
• The Whitworth will be giving 60% of sales to James Gladwell 

James Gladwell is a self-taught artist working in North Norfolk in the East of England. Born in Essex in 1952, James creates embroideries depicting images from his dreams, memories and personal visions of the world around him. He also creates sculptures, paintings and drawings that explore similar themes to his textiles works such as nature, pattern, buildings, animals and his Romany heritage.

James was one of the first artists to attend the Barrington Farm Day Centre for adults with learning disabilities when it opened in 1987. The centre has an art studio in a converted barn, helping over 40 artists express themselves. It's open weekdays with qualified artists. James also works on his art at home nearby.

Quote from James Gladwell:

“My family were Romany Gypsies. We had two types of caravan. My grandad and nan lived in one, and my family lived in the other. I slept underneath. I had a pallet and a mattress and a light. It did me nice. There were sides around the bottom with a door. When you move you slide it out and put it in the side of the caravan till you get to the next place. My grandad wanted to settle down on a land and have a load of chickens. My nan showed me how to do the needlework when I was seven. I only do one stitch and that’s cross stitch. If I get things in my head, I start drawing. Some of my work is from my dreams. If I dream something I’ve got to put it down on the cloth right away. I have the cloth on my lap with a lamp and my music on. I keep the gypsy way of life going in my needlework. I’d be lost without doing the sewing.”

James’ work has been exhibited locally, nationally and internationally. He won the Norwich Assembly House Art Show prize in 2013 and the Outside In Award at the Radical Craft exhibition in 2016. 

James Gladwell, The Farm, 2015, cotton, 146x130cm. Courtesy the artist and Barrington Farm.