Francoise Holland Textiles

Initially, my background was Woven textiles, designing samples for the furnishing industry on multiple shafts looms, including Jacquard looms, where colour and technical ability were at the forefront. I studied at Carmarthen (Wales) and Eastbourne colleges of Art for a 3year course leading to the diploma of the SIAD (Society of the Industrial Artists and Designers). Included in the course were several placements in textile mills in Scotland and Lancashire, as well as a placement in West Dean College of Art where the Henri Moore tapestries were being woven.

Papermaking

Wall Textiles

Woven Textiles Samplers

Work in Progress

At the moment, I am working on an ongoing project based on the local resistance in WW2 in Provence (Fontaine-de Vaucluse), where Churchill had strong links, especially Renee Char in Lisle-sur-Sorgue and the prominent resistance leader, Jean Garcin. Fontaine de Vaucluse was further explored through paintings of its landscapes by Churchill with regular stays in the area. ( paintings in Chartwell workshop).

The project will have a focus on the evident, but less well-known role of women in WW2.

As well as tapestries and wall textiles, the completed work will be a series of monochrome portraits using pulp of known or less well-known resistants, and featuring the local area/landscapes of the often dramatic and vivid colours of Provence.

The project is also drawn from a personal influence as the original papermaking mill (Vallis Clausa) amongst others in Fontaine-de Vaucluse used to be led and managed by my maternal grandfather from the thirties to the sixties.

It is now the only one in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse thriving and expanding through different diversifications. Open to the public, the visits still emphasise the making process of paper as well as a successfull shop and gallery.