BIN BAGS by Valley Artists

Artist Bio

Helen’s practice is concentrated on knitting, crochet, needlelace and embroidery – traditionally ‘feminine’ activities with a history in political and social dissent. Her work focuses on themes of politics and feminism, as well as mental health. She produces masks and wearable pieces which highlight the ways women’s identity is focused on their bodies; while harnessing the classic ‘functional’ qualities of craft. She also uses pattern and imagery in her work, such as animals and symbols, as a nod to traditional embroidery samplers and folklore. Helen explores the concept of women’s anger and societal need to disguise it. She is enraged by nearly everything, particularly the ways that already marginalised are encouraged by the establishment to turn on each other, causing more pain and exhaustion among the already suffering, and deflecting focus from the powerful.

Piss&Vinegar is a Rossendale based mixed-media artist. Her work focuses on reusing other people’s discarded items and rubbish, combining them in unexpected ways to highlight the often arbitrary way that society decides which objects have value. In a society plagued by overconsumption and disposable goods, Piss&Vinegar collects unwanted items and uses them to create costumes, sculptures and ritual objects. All of her artwork exists in an imagined future where the rubbish of past generations is venerated and recognised as a precious commodity. The deity KNUJ, god of junk, is worshipped as a powerful creative and destructive force.