Helen Oliver

I grew up in the hills of Westland where the constantly changing light affect the colours of hills and the shapes of the hills repeat and echo and mimic each other.  Colour has become a fascination.  I became aware of how one colour is affected and changed depending on what colour it is next to and how shape, pattern and repeat also affect the impact of a colour.

I have used this awareness in making hand woven textiles where the choice of colour, texture and fibre are mine to make.  I prefer to use natural fibres because of they way they react during weaving and the way they feel in the finished piece.  I love to see a fabric – whether it is tapestry or a more practical piece – develop from an idea to a finished article, fulled and blocked and changed from separate warp and weft to a thing on its own.

I have been selling my work in the Gallery for over 15 years.