Artist

Rebecca Holley

I am an artist living and working in rural Mid Devon. After completing a 2-year foundation course at Bournville School of Art, Birmingham, I gained a Fine Art (Sculpture) Degree from Bath School Of Art & Design in 1992. Later, I completed a short course of traditional hooked rag rug making, I soon realised the combination of design, colour and texture made this a perfect medium through which to express my ideas. On moving to Devon, I set up a studio in the centre of Exeter where I worked on my individual practise and ran classes teaching rug making techniques. I built up a reputation for producing textile panels which have a painterly quality that reflect my fine art background. My art practise includes many different areas of making, from drawing and painting to printmaking and 3D which all compliment my hooked textile works. Inspiration comes from many different sources and subject matter has included objects from different cultures, images through a microscope and natural phenomena I collaborate with my husband David to create unique Doodle Bowls, blending hand-thrown stoneware craftsmanship with my playful and artistic designs. While David throws each bowl, i hand-decorate them, drawing inspiration from my whimsical doodles on paper to translate them into ceramics. Using a variety of pottery decorating techniques, every bowl is truly one of a kind, combining artistic spontaneity with the tactile beauty of handmade ceramics. Each piece captures the joy and individuality of our creative partnership.. One of my collection of panels is 'From The Figure' I have always been an avid drawer of the figure and since lockdown attended life drawing sessions online, especially with Scottish Boarders International Life Drawing Club. Last year we had a group exhibition of 14 International artists in Albi, South of France. I have taken some of my life drawings and transformed them into hooked textile panels. My drawings of the figure are quick, colourful and expressive, in contrast my hooking process is long, time consuming and meditative - I like that juxtaposition. A number of works have been widely exhibited, many pieces are owned privately, others belong to collections such as DAISI (Devon Arts in Schools Initiative) and @BRISTOL

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Exhibition Record

English Riviera Winter Open 2025

A Celebration of Creativity and Innovation We are delighted to announce the return of our annual English Riviera Winter Open Exhibition, ushering in a new year with a vibrant celebration of contemporary art. This much-anticipated event invites both familiar and emerging artists to share their work in an eclectic showcase, promising audiences a rich tapestry of creative expression. As always, our exhibition is shaped by the core values that define our programme: •Diversity and Variety: We embrace a broad spectrum of artistic practice, traditional and contemporary alike, to curate an exhibition teeming with distinctive media, themes, and styles. •Originality and Innovation: While we honour tradition, we also seek works that challenge boundaries and captivates imagination. Here, audiences will discover pieces that cannot be found elsewhere, ensuring a truly unique experience. •Quality and Talent: Each work is selected for its exceptional merit, offering visitors an opportunity to acquire original, collectible art created by outstanding artists. Join us as we open the doors to the final exhibition of our 2025 programme, beginning in November and running through to Christmas Eve. This festive season marks not only a celebration of creativity, but also an exciting prelude to the new ventures we have planned for the coming year. We look forward to welcoming you to the English Riviera Winter Open Exhibition 2025, where art, inspiration, and community come together in grand style.

Exhibition Record