Ursula Rose Rae is based in Loughborough. She graduated from Manchester School of Art’s Textiles In Practice course in 2014. Her practice explores the possibilities of textiles to move away from its tradition roots in cloth, into three-dimensional forms within space. She aims to create works that impact upon space and the people within them; creating experiential and seemingly imaginative environments.
Describe your practice for us:
Exploring the possibilities of textiles to move away from it’s traditions upon cloth, and into three-dimensional forms within space, my practice explores sensory stimulation; investigating tactile material manipulation, changing light and surface qualities, and sound. An exploration of these sensory qualities results in the creation of interactive sculptural forms.
Intrigued by the environments that surround us in the everyday, and the sterile impersonal spaces that are so often created. My work is a response to this; exploring the re-enchantment of environments through the creation of immersive installation and visual imagery.
I aim to create works that impact upon space and the people within them; creating experiential and seemingly imaginative environments.
How long have you been practising?
I graduated from Manchester School of Art’s Textiles In Practice course in the summer of 2014…so I’ve been developing my practice outside of education over the course of the past year!
What is the most interesting/inspiring thing you have seen/been to over the last month, and why?
I have visited The Whitworth art gallery several times since it’s reopening, and have found the refurbished gallery to be an inspiring place to spend time. In particular, I have most connected to Cai Guo Qiang’s exhibition; the transformation of the gallery space into a lakeside landscape, through the beautifully marked gunpowder drawings, has created a serene environment in amongst the bustling new gallery space.
Further to the installation itself, a video documenting Cai Guo Qiang’s making process is also on show, it’s interesting to see the development and production of work displayed alongside the finished piece. A beautifully intriguing exhibition.
Which other artists’ work do you admire, and why?
With an interest in cross-disciplinary art/design, I am drawn to a wide range of artists and designers…and the list is ever growing! Some of these are Tara Donovan, Wolfgang Buttress, Joanie Lemercier, Sou Fujimoto and Olafur Eliasson. Often the common thread is the exploration of place and the unbound approach to developing ideas that explore this.
In particular with Studio Olafur Eliasson I admire their work on a varied range of projects, from architecture to painting, and the collaborations that have produced these. Collaborating with individuals from other disciplines is something that I hope to be developing further within my own practice!
Where can people see your work?
My work can be viewed on my website at www.ursularoserae.co.uk.I also have an educational archive of work in the ‘TACTILE too’ collection at The Whitworth, that can be booked out by contacting the gallery. www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/learn/schoolscollegesanduniversities/post16/resources/
Ursula was first interviewed in May 2015.
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