Through the Surface: Collaborating textile artists from Britain and Japan: Satin Route, Effervescent Trail, Yarn Poetry, I saw an Orange Insect Stepping Lightly, Sharing rose bud tea across continents

Through the Surface explores points of difference and similarity within the cultures of Japan and Britain through the exchange of ideas, techniques, cultural and personal sensibilities as they relate to working practice. Within an Anglo-Japanese context, textiles are a productive medium through which to conduct a study of different approaches. Fourteen textile artists from the UK and Japan took part in the project, which was structured around a mentoring scheme. Seven emerging artists, four form Britain and three form Japan, travelled to work with an established artist form their opposite country. All the artists produced work as a result of that exchange and the Through the Surface exhibition and supporting catalogue is one of the outcomes that reflect the essential nature of that exchange.

Through the Surface had venues including The James Hockey Galleries, The Surrey Institute of Art & Design University College, Farnham January 27 – March 20 2004. Tour: Hove Museum and Art Gallery, January 31 – 21 March 2004; Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, University of East Anglia, Norwich, April 06 – May 16 2004; Piece Hall Art Gallery, Halifax June 26 – August 30 2004; Nottingham Castle, Nottingham September 26 – November 11 2004; The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto, Japan 2005. A total audience of 96, 000 Millar, L. (n.d.).

The artwork I exhibited at the Through the Surface exhibition included the installations 'Satin Route', 'Effervescent Trail', 'Yarn Poetry', 'I saw an orange insect stepping lightly' and 'Sharing rose bud tea across continents'. I also created site-specific work 'Sharing rose-bud tea across continents' for Fabrica, Brighton (March 10 - May 25 2004) and Yard Gallery, Wollaton Hall, Nottingham (October 2 - November 21 2004).