Angela Forte
Website: www.angelaforte.com
E-mail: angela@angelaforte.com
Facebook: Angela Forte
Instagram: @angelaforte20
Photo 1: Celestial Bodies (2021 ) are a series of tapestries that are inspired by stone carvings found in Megalithic tombs such as New Grange, Knowth and Dowth. These 4 tapestries 35 x 35cm are woven in cotton, wool and linen
Photo 2: Celestial Bodies - a detail
Bio
Angela Forte was born in Dublin and studied Woven Textiles at The National College of Art and Design. After graduating she spent a year on The Craft Business course run
by the DCCI at the Kilworth Craft Workshops in Co Cork. From there she set up
Angela Forte Tapestries in The Tower at the IDA Centre in Pearse Street Dublin. During
this time she worked on many commissioned tapestries for the corporate world and for private collectors. Commissioned by companies such as Beamish & Crawford Brewing, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank and by the OPW and the National Maternity Hospital.
by the DCCI at the Kilworth Craft Workshops in Co Cork. From there she set up
Angela Forte Tapestries in The Tower at the IDA Centre in Pearse Street Dublin. During
this time she worked on many commissioned tapestries for the corporate world and for private collectors. Commissioned by companies such as Beamish & Crawford Brewing, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank and by the OPW and the National Maternity Hospital.
Photo 3: Angela Forte and her Vermillion Sky
Photo 4: Vermillion Sky (2019) woven in wool, cotton and linen depicts an abstracted landscape using planes of colour and pattern . Dimensions: 117cmx138cm.
Photo 5: Vermillion Sky - a detail
In 1995 Angela gave up weaving for a career in the healing arts of Reiki, Reflexology
and Shamanic Ritual. For fifteen years she worked with clients on their healing journeys but tapestry weaving was to claim her again when in 2016 she took part in the first "Interconnections" exhibition in Roscommon. At this time she was also given
the opportunity for a solo show in 2017 by Mary Gallagher in The Blue Egg Gallery, Wexford. Since that time she has worked with renewed enthusiasm and has exhibited
and Shamanic Ritual. For fifteen years she worked with clients on their healing journeys but tapestry weaving was to claim her again when in 2016 she took part in the first "Interconnections" exhibition in Roscommon. At this time she was also given
the opportunity for a solo show in 2017 by Mary Gallagher in The Blue Egg Gallery, Wexford. Since that time she has worked with renewed enthusiasm and has exhibited
in Ireland, UK and USA. Her work is inspired by landscape and the energy of nature.
Photo 6: Tapestry Fragments are a series that I wove for Verve, my solo show at Blue Egg Gallery in 2017. They are woven using cotton, linen and sewing threads. Nine miniatures of dimensions 8 x 8cm each.
Artist Statement
The interaction of colour is the starting point for my creative work. My imagery is
an instinctive reaction to landscape, conveying movement and energy in nature.
Bold colours and geometric forms are important devices which divide landscape
into abstract patterns and a horizon line bisects the plane into the illusion of land and sky.
an instinctive reaction to landscape, conveying movement and energy in nature.
Bold colours and geometric forms are important devices which divide landscape
into abstract patterns and a horizon line bisects the plane into the illusion of land and sky.
Photo 7: Crop Circles (2016) inspired by the mysterious patterns found in crop fields. Woven in cotton and wool, dimensions: 64 x 126cm
Photo 8: Crop Circles tapestry in situ
I am interested in archaeology and the way in which the landscape is marked
by the activities of those who went before us. My recent work uses Neolithic stone carvings found in New Grange, Knowth and Dowth as their inspiration. The exact meanings of these ancient symbols may be lost and yet they speak to us on a level
that is beyond words. Works on the theme of the winter solstice are an exploration
of how strong bright colours can lift our spirit in the darkest part of winter.
The penetration of sunlight into the burial chamber reminds me of the power of light
to awaken the pineal gland in the brain which ends our hibernation.
by the activities of those who went before us. My recent work uses Neolithic stone carvings found in New Grange, Knowth and Dowth as their inspiration. The exact meanings of these ancient symbols may be lost and yet they speak to us on a level
that is beyond words. Works on the theme of the winter solstice are an exploration
of how strong bright colours can lift our spirit in the darkest part of winter.
The penetration of sunlight into the burial chamber reminds me of the power of light
to awaken the pineal gland in the brain which ends our hibernation.
Photo 9: The Cosmos in Stone (2021), dimensions 80cm x 63cm, woven in wool, linen and cotton. It is inspired by stone carving found in Ballinvalley. Angela: "I was struck by how the shapes resemble 1960s fabric designs so I used bright colours from that time".
Photo 10: Weaving Cosmos in Stone
Photo 11: Angela Forte weaving...
