Behind Closed Doors

House of Smalls

A new exhibition at the House of Smalls called ‘Hidden’ prompted me to create a new piece of work called ‘Behind Closed Doors’ for the Dollhouse gallery. 

The exhibition takes place at The House of Smalls, 103 Henderson Row, Stockbridge, Edinburgh EH3 5BB from the 21st November – 22nd December 2024.

“Timed to coincide with 25 November 2024 – White Ribbon Day, The International Day for the elimination of violence against women, and the start of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence – this is an exhibition of artwork by 60 women who have been affected by domestic abuse in any of its many forms.” ~ House of Smalls

Artists taking part in Hidden Dollhouse exhibition
Artists taking part in the Dollhouse exhibition
Artists in the exhibition
Artists taking part in the Main gallery
Artists taking part in the exhibition.
Artists taking part in the exhibition.

Behind Closed Doors

“When I am asked why she doesn’t leave abuse I say… she stays because the Fear of leaving is greater than the Fear of staying.  She will leave when the Fear of staying is greater than the Fear of leaving.  I know this was very true for me.”  – Rebecca J. Burns

You never know what goes on behind closed doors.

Behind Closed Doors
Behind Closed Doors

This piece is about a dear and close friend.

She made a plan and escaped with her children.

It took her nearly fifteen years to open up and tell me her story.

Behind Closed Doors
Behind Closed Doors

Size 11.5 x 11.5cm. Hand embroidered with Aurifil thread.

This piece forms part of a series of small works created for the House of Smalls.

Tŷ Pawb Open 2024

I’m pleased to announce that the Giant Cauliflower Harvest has been jury selected for the Tŷ Pawb Open 2024.

Around 450 artists submitted work. After jury selection 100 artworks were chosen for the final exhibition.

The exhibition will be on show at the Tŷ Pawb, Market St, Wrexham, Wales LL13 8BB, from 16th November 2024 – 8th February 2025.

This year’s Judge is Alan Dunn, a Glasgow-born Artist based in Liverpool. Alan creates artworks using sound and digital images, collaborating with thousands of citizens to unlock the hidden narrative in communities. He has developed projects with ICA, BBC Radio, Tate Britain, National Science & Media Museum and Liverpool Art Prize.

Giant Cauliflower Harvest part of the Tŷ Pawb Open 2024
Giant Cauliflower Harvest part of the Tŷ Pawb Open 2024

During the launch event (Friday 15th November from 6pm) the winners of the Judge’s Prize (£1000) and the Traders’ Prize (£500) will be announced.

A ‘People’s Prize (£500), selected by public votes, will be awarded at the conclusion of the exhibition.

Update: 15th November 2024

The exhibition launch evening was incredibly busy.

I found the exhibition beautifully curated.
I found the exhibition beautifully curated.
The artworks were labelled in English and Welsh.
The artworks were labelled in English and Welsh.

There were quite a few visitors who took time out to read the Giant Cauliflower Harvest.

Holly Searle – Meet the Artist

Award winning textile artist Holly Searle, also known as The Subverted Stitcher, is a textile artist who uses her needle and thread to spotlight social issues close to her heart. In 2020, she launched her Subverted Vintage Tea Towel Series to provide a platform for these important topics. 

Each artwork consists of hand cut felt letters, a vintage tea towel and a curated collection of words. To date, Holly has hand stitched over 160 artworks in her subverted tea towel series.
Holly Searle: https://www.instagram.com/the_subversive_stitcher

Holly’s passion for embroidery was ignited after seeing a sampler by Mary Frances Heaton, an inmate of a Victorian asylum, at a mental health exhibition. Inspired by Mary’s use of needle and thread to petition Queen Victoria about social injustices, Holly began creating pieces that draw attention to social issues and empower women. Holly’s work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions, resonating with echoes of Mary’s enduring voice and passion.

The Subverted Tea towel collection by Holly Searle
The Subverted Tea towel collection by Holly Searle

Creatively shut down in the Covid Pandemic of 2020, Holly found her voice again by subverting pre-loved vintage tea towels (little domestic works of art), to raise awareness of issues she felt needed soap boxing.  

The Subversive tea Towel exhibition
The Subversive tea Towel exhibition

Prior to the Covid Pandemic of 2020, award winning Textile artist Holly, had established a healthy and progressive career in the art world.  After she began her current textile practice in 2016, she went on to exhibit her work both collectively and independently in art spaces such as the Saatchi Gallery. 

work by Holly
Work by Holly

In 2018, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Throughout her treatment, her work acted as both an outlet and a distraction from her illness. During this time, she won her first solo show of her early embroidered pieces.  

Filmed at the Knitting and Stitching Show 2024.

Further reading

If you’ve enjoyed watching this video, you might like the work of Batool Showghi featured in a video from the Knitting & Stitching Show 2023.