Justine Ashbee - local artist & weaver
Thank you for taking the time to talk with us Justine - can you tell us a bit about what inspires your wonderful work?
I have always been inspired by the natural world and patterns found in nature, the underlying geometric behaviours in plants and our environment. The Natural World has so much to offer us if we slow down and observe. I find that the natural world has a strong spiritual presence and meaning for me. I'm inspired by the elements in Nature and how we form symbolic relationships with them.
How did you find your way into the creative world of weaving?
I studied Textile Design in art school at the Rhode Island School of Design in the States. I remember being a teenager and spending a summer in France, living with a family in St Nazaire as an exchange student. The mother of the family was very chic and had a copy of the Maison Cote Sud magazine. It was in that magazine that I saw an image of these textile designers in their studio and it so impressed upon me, before I even went to art school that that was the direction I wanted to go in. It was exciting to realise that a career in Textile Arts was possible.
Your work really resonates with us at The Grain Store - owner Anni Townend had waited for over 2 years to find the right piece to hang in the en-suite room and was totally delighted when she was able to purchase ‘SUNRISE MOON’.
It fits so perfectly in this room and as Anni says “The full moon sets on this side of The Grain Store and can be seen lit by the Sun rising on the other side of the building!”
We were very happy when you came along to personally hang your beautifully woven wall hanging for us. It looks amazing.
Sunrise Moon
How do you work with your clients and what kind of projects are you involved in?
I work predominantly with trade, so directly in collaboration with interior designers for residential and commercial projects. They approach me with the vision for their spaces and I work to spec, initially providing sketches and then working organically from there. I am currently finishing up a large multi-panel weaving commission for a modern luxury resort in Utah. It took a few test panels to understand the nature of the pieces and how they wanted to build and layer. I fit in studio pieces and private request orders throughout the year when possible.
What’s coming up next for you?
This weekend (Sept 10th & 11th) I will be opening my studio to the public to take part in the regional Arts Festival of the Lewes District called Artwave. My Studio, Birds Hole Lane, will be an Artwave venue hosting a collection of local artists and makers inspired by the natural world. I will be exhibiting some weavings alongside my new investigations, which include cyanotype dye print works exploring themes of alchemy in nature.
How do people find you and your work Justine?
You can head over to my website Native Line which also has a store and click here to see my Instagram page.
Please come and see me this weekend at Birds Hole Lane as part of the annual Artwave Festival - Click here for info.
Justine - thank you for taking the time to talk with us! Can we finish with 5 x things that you love about Sussex?
I love doing Rachel's Coaching by Nature sessions.
The chalk cliffs, sea swims at Birling Gap and Tidemills in Seaford.
Artelium is a great spot to go for a vineyard visit and an evening of wine tasting with charcuterie:
Abyss Brewery in Lewes is a fun spot and often has cool things going on.
Charleston House tour and gallery visit seems pretty iconic for this region, always followed by a MiddleFarm cheese market run as they have a fantastic cheese selection, along with other essentials for good eating whilst travelling.
The Grain Store Lewes is the perfect base to explore all the studios, galleries and festivals that East Sussex has to offer
Click here for our latest prices and availability including some last minute dates for September.
Article by Pip de Villiers.