Born in Singapore, Lizzie Farey has been living in Galloway since 1986.
'I have a fascination with living things and natural form. I find an exhilarating freedom in the opportunity to explore undiscovered forms and a new relation to nature. There is a process that you have to go through which is chaos, and absolute concentration and an enduring belief is necessary before order and stillness can return.'
As one of Dumfries and Galloway's most well known makers, Lizzie Farey has made her name as a basketmaker with a difference. She trained in fine art and stained glass before discovering her talent for basketmaking. With no formal training courses available she learned the skill gradually, travelling throughout the UK and Ireland learning from various craftsmen before settling to live and work in Galloway twenty years ago. Working mainly in willow but more recently in ash and using traditional techniques, Lizzie has become interested in the less functional objects, taking influences from the Galloway landscape in terms of shape, texture and colour. She likes to work from the inside out, becoming closely involved in the piece as it takes its shape. Growing and harvesting her own willow has deepened her relationship with the material, and it is now that the true essence of her work can be seen.
Born ~ Singapore 1962
Education ~
Canterbury College of Art Foundation ~1979
Cardiff College of Art ~ 1980
Professional member of Visual Arts Scotland ~ 1999
Member of Contemporary Applied Arts. London ~ 2000
Awards ~
Outward Mission to New York, UK Trade and Investment ~ 2006
'Talent Around Britain' BBC Homes and Antiques ~ 2004
Professional Development Grant, Scottish Arts Council ~ 2004
Artist Residency, Cove Park, Argyll ~ 2004
Arts and Crafts Marketing Grant Dumfries and Galloway Council ~ 2003
The Scottish Gallery Award, Visual Arts Scotland ~ 1999.
The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers ~ 1997
Public Collections ~
Priors Court School, Reading.
The City Arts Centre, Edinburgh.
The Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead.
The Royal Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.
Selected Recent Exhibitions ~
2006 ..
'Collect' at the V & A, London. (Flow Gallery)
2005 ..
'Christmas Present', Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead.
'Chelsea Crafts Fair', Old Town Hall, Chelsea.
The Scottish Gallery at Greywalls, Gullane.
'Contemporary Crafts', The Medici Gallery, London.
'Chelsea Flower Show 2005' Sculpture in The Boreal Garden.
'Spirit of Liberty', Libertys, London.
'Collect' at the V & A, London. (Flow Gallery)
designs gallery, 179 king street, castle douglas, s.w.scotland ~ open 9.30 / 5.30 ~ closed sundays