framed originals for sale in the wharf gallery
Since opening the Wharf Gallery, I have been working steadily to frame all my work. For years I’d had nowhere of my own to display anything, so many of the original Batiks made to create my famous greetings card range, languished unseen, rolled up under my bed! Now, these iconic originals and many other more recent works, are displayed in this beautiful space, framed and available for sale in the permanent ’50 Years of Batik’ gallery exhibition.
I work closely with my framer Elaine at Beckett Framing, choosing the right mount and moulding, always careful to match the frame to suit the Batik regardless of cost (invariably I find I’ve chosen the most expensive moulding in the shop!). She carries an extensive range of beautiful deeper profile mouldings, which enable me to house back-lighting neatly within the thickness of the frame.
The wax in the process makes the finished work translucent when lit from behind, so a back-lit Batik can make a stunning centrepiece or simply create mood-lighting in a room scheme. It can light up an alcove, or be left on at night, helping to light a dark landing or child’s room – a beautiful but practical work of art.
Most of my framed work is back-lit with LED lighting within the depth of the frame. Some pieces, with shallower profile frames, have a 1″ x 1″ deep box, stained to match the frame. Some older ones are lit with florescent lights down each side behind their mounts and have deeper 3″ boxes.
A few pieces are designed to be lit from the front.
Each of my original Batiks is done on 100% cotton, (apart from a rare couple done on silk). The finished piece is stretched into its frame to prevent ‘bagging’ caused by variations in temperature and the dyes are light-fast (see my mum’s kitchen curtains – still bright after 50 years!).
