Joanne Soroka
After graduating from Edinburgh College of Art and then working freelance, I was Artistic Director of the Edinburgh Tapestry Company (Dovecot Studios) 1982-1987. I founded Ivory Tapestries in 1987 and make both commissioned and speculative work in tapestry, textiles and paper. I have participated in eleven solo and over 80 group exhibitions internationally, and my work is in public and private collections in the UK, USA, Canada, Estonia and Japan. I have taught part-time at Edinburgh College of Art since 1992.
Date of Birth: 1949
Associations: CC
Awards:
1997 - Wingate Scholarship
2000 - Theo Moorman Trust for Weavers
2000 - British Council
2000 - Hope Scott Trust
2001 - Scottish Arts Council Major Award for Individual Development
2004 - Prize, Tallinn Print Triennial, Estonia
Commissions:
1989 - Okura Hotel, Kobe, Japan
1990 - Amnesty International, London
1996 - Civil Aviation Authority, London
2002 - private commission, Chicago
2005 - Intercontinental Hotels, London
2006 - private commission, Washington, DC
Education:
1970 - BA, McGill University, Montreal
1972 - Diploma in Design, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Halifax, Nova Scotia
1976 - Post-graduate diploma (with distinction), Edinburgh College of Art, Edinburgh
Group Exhibitions:
1999 - "ECA to USA", New Jersey Center for Visual Arts, Summit, New Jersey.
1999 - "Edinburgh Makers", National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto, Japan.
2001- “Cultural Exchange”, Birmingham Art Gallery and Museum, Birmingham.
2004 - 13th Tallinn Print Triennial, Tallinn, Estonia.
2007 - “The Linen Archetype: 5th International Biennale of Textile Miniatures”, ARKA Gallery, Vilnius and Gallery of the Guild of Textile Artists, Kaunas, Lithuania.
Solo Exhibitions:
1987- Contemporary Textile Gallery, London.
1991 - "Joanne Soroka Textiles", Crawford Arts Centre, St. Andrews, Scotland, and touring.
2000 - 2003 "Unmarked Lives", Multicultural Art Gallery, Halifax, Nova Scotia; Canadian Guild of
Crafts Quebec, Montreal; Cornwall Regional Art Gallery, Cornwall, Ontario; New Jersey Center for Visual Arts, Summit, NJ; Hart House, University of Toronto, Toronto; Inverness Art Gallery; St Fergus Gallery, Wick; Aberdeen Art Gallery; An Lanntair, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis; Museum of Edinburgh.
Travel: Nationally, Yes Internationally, Yes
Press Quotes:
1982, Mar/Apr, Virginia West, Aura (Washinton, DC), 'These tapestries are the work of a sensitive artist who is in harmony with and in complete control of her medium.'
2000, Nov 11, Henry Lehmann, Montreal Gazette, 'A treat', 'Fascinating', 'Daring'.
2002, Sept/Oct, Philippa Swann, Crafts, 'Moving', 'Vibrant', 'A reminder that tapestry is a supremely effective narrative form'.
2006, Jan 12, Moira Jeffrey, Glasgow Herald, 'The highlight of this show'.
Maker's Statement:
Much of my recent work has been about my ordinary but ethnically-diverse ancestors. I weave together the meanings of their lives with varied forms of tapestry, its rich colour and textural possibilities, to create innovative surfaces. I have recently embarked on a new series of work, which is based on collages with layers and torn edges in bold colours. These abstract tapestries are loosely inspired by rockpools, which create a calming effect when you gaze into them. I am trying to elicit an emotional response through the creation of beauty infused with serenity.
Studio visits are welcome.
Commissioning Procedure
My clients get the work of art they want, one that enhances the chosen space and says something about their company, their chosen theme or themselves. I always meet my deadlines (approximately three months for a large tapestry). I am happy to work with you to design something to your specifications and budget. I start with sketches and sample weaves following your instructions, and I don’t start on the project until you are completely happy.
Pricing Policy
£300 - 600 - small paperworks
£300 - 800 - small textiles
£300 - 1000 - small tapestries
£1200 - 10,000 - tapestries
VAT Registered: No
