Profile
I have always been a maker in various disciplines and until recent years was largely self taught; an inheritance from a 'can do' family culture. A change in my work schedule a few years ago allowed me the opportunity to concentrate on and further develop my creative side.
There were few courses offered in my area so I started with a basic grounding at Aberdeen College and carried on to learn traditional kilt making. It is a very satisfying process taking 8 yards of beautiful locally woven tartan and making a personalised kilt that will last a lifetime and beyond. After mastering the craft of kilt making I wanted to develop in a more artistic direction. I experimented with patchwork and quilting and this brought me into a whole new world of techniques. I could see that the boundaries of textile work were limitless and decided to continue developing in this area.
I enrolled with City and Guilds on a 2 year certificate course in stitched textiles and enjoyed it so much that soon after I enrolled for the Diploma which I completed in 2017. It suited me that my tutor was Art based and encouraged me to push all boundaries in exploring and developing different techniques and media.
My theme throughout the Diploma was one 'of the land'. Years later I keep returning to it, there is so much still to explore and develop.
Qualifications & Studies
Aberdeen College
08/09 Certificate in Occasional Wear Design
09/10 Traditional Kilt Making
The Studio, Dumbarton
2012 - 2014 City & Guilds Certificate in Design and Craft - Stitched Textiles (Patchwork and Quilting)
Gillian Cooper Studio, Balfron
2015 - 2017 City and Guilts Level 3 Diploma in Design and Craft - Stitched Textiles (Patchwork and Quilting)
www.gilliancooper.co.uk
Exhibitions
April - September 2020 Corgarff Hall Gallery
Collaborative with Gerard Murphy Photographer
4th - 30th March 2020 Central Library Edinburgh
Quines Exhibition www.edge-textileartists-scotland.com
2019 ongoing LOST Gallery Strathdon
www.lostgallery.co.uk
NEOS 2018 from my studio
NEOS. Annually September 2013 - 2017 with Art in the Buchat
April - Sept 2016 Corgarff Hall Gallery
Collaborative with Gerard Murphy Photographer
Aug 2015 Festival of Quilts Birmingham
solo stand awarded by Quilters Guild to a City & Guild student
April - June 2015 Goodbrand & Ross, Corgarff
Collaborative Art in the Buchat
Nov 2014 - March 2015. Touched By Scotland, Oyne Collaborative Naturally Strathdon
I have always been a maker in various disciplines and until recent years was largely self taught; an inheritance from a 'can do' family culture. A change in my work schedule a few years ago allowed me the opportunity to concentrate on and further develop my creative side.
There were few courses offered in my area so I started with a basic grounding at Aberdeen College and carried on to learn traditional kilt making. It is a very satisfying process taking 8 yards of beautiful locally woven tartan and making a personalised kilt that will last a lifetime and beyond. After mastering the craft of kilt making I wanted to develop in a more artistic direction. I experimented with patchwork and quilting and this brought me into a whole new world of techniques. I could see that the boundaries of textile work were limitless and decided to continue developing in this area.
I enrolled with City and Guilds on a 2 year certificate course in stitched textiles and enjoyed it so much that soon after I enrolled for the Diploma which I completed in 2017. It suited me that my tutor was Art based and encouraged me to push all boundaries in exploring and developing different techniques and media.
My theme throughout the Diploma was one 'of the land'. Years later I keep returning to it, there is so much still to explore and develop.
Qualifications & Studies
Aberdeen College
08/09 Certificate in Occasional Wear Design
09/10 Traditional Kilt Making
The Studio, Dumbarton
2012 - 2014 City & Guilds Certificate in Design and Craft - Stitched Textiles (Patchwork and Quilting)
Gillian Cooper Studio, Balfron
2015 - 2017 City and Guilts Level 3 Diploma in Design and Craft - Stitched Textiles (Patchwork and Quilting)
www.gilliancooper.co.uk
Exhibitions
April - September 2020 Corgarff Hall Gallery
Collaborative with Gerard Murphy Photographer
4th - 30th March 2020 Central Library Edinburgh
Quines Exhibition www.edge-textileartists-scotland.com
2019 ongoing LOST Gallery Strathdon
www.lostgallery.co.uk
NEOS 2018 from my studio
NEOS. Annually September 2013 - 2017 with Art in the Buchat
April - Sept 2016 Corgarff Hall Gallery
Collaborative with Gerard Murphy Photographer
Aug 2015 Festival of Quilts Birmingham
solo stand awarded by Quilters Guild to a City & Guild student
April - June 2015 Goodbrand & Ross, Corgarff
Collaborative Art in the Buchat
Nov 2014 - March 2015. Touched By Scotland, Oyne Collaborative Naturally Strathdon
