Starch exhibition – Askew gallery
April 1, 2025 / by Bridget Osborne
Images: L to R work by Anna Booth, Sally Grumbridge, Louise Richards and Roz Wallis
Starch – Art Exhibition at Askew Gallery inspired by South Acton’s history of laundering
A new exhibition at the Askew Gallery in May will feature the work of four local artists. The exhibition, titled ‘Starch’ will be a multidisciplinary showcase exploring the historical and artistic significance of starch through ceramics, photography, printmaking and mixed media.
Inspired by the area’s history as a hub for laundries, major employers for women in Victorian and Edwardian times, the artists reinterpret the material’s role in domestic life, textile traditions, and artistic experimentation.
Photographer Anna Booth, painter and printmaker Sally Grumbridge, visual artist Louise Richards, and ceramics artist Roz Wallis will be showing their work from Friday 2 – Monday 5 May 2025.
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They all have a considerable following in Chiswick, as they exhibit their work every summer over the Artists at Home weekend; Sally and Louise have taken part in The Chiswick Calendar’s exhibitions at the Clayton hotel, and Roz has taken part in our Sculpture at the Brewery exhibition at the Fuller’s Griffin Brewery.
Featured Artists and Their Works
Anna Booth
Photographer, Anna looks at both starch in nature, as well as its early use in window displays, the boundary between private and public, through photography and printmaking.
The very materials used in the artworks also tell a story of how starch is used in paper.
Sally Grumbridge
Painter and printmaker, Sally’s work is informed by personal, historical and/or cultural themes.
For Starch, she explores the history of clothing and the use of starch to stiffen fabrics, drawing connections between fashion, domestic labour and roles in society.
Her new work involves using starched fabrics and items of clothing as ‘printing plates’ for her striking images.
Louise Richards
Visual artist, Louise transforms everyday objects and domestic rituals into bold, thought-provoking works.
For Starch, Louise presents a video, Ironing, she provocatively irons her face, critiquing the repetitive nature of domestic work while commenting on societal pressures surrounding perfection and ageing.
Her pop-art digital prints further celebrate everyday objects, reframing them as subjects of artistic exploration.
Roz Wallis
Ceramics artist, Roz specialises in both functional and artistic pottery.
Passionate about exploring diverse ceramic processes, Roz often collaborates with other artists to develop innovative works.
For Starch, Roz examines the transformative nature of clay and its parallels with the malleability of starch in both artistic and domestic applications.
Exhibition Events on Monday 5 May 4 – 6 pm
Workshops – Community-driven sessions exploring mono-printing and creative engagement with everyday materials.
Artist Talk – A discussion with the participating artists about their processes, inspirations, and themes in Starch.
Sally Grumbridge said:
“Working towards this new exhibition Starch has given me the opportunity not only to develop new work based on a challenging theme, inspired by the history of the area known as Starch Green, but also to collaborate with three other talented artists, each of whom has something very different to say.”
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Read more stories on The Chiswick Calendar
See all the latest stories: Chiswick Calendar News & Features
Support The Chiswick Calendar
The Chiswick Calendar CIC is a community resource. Please support us by buying us the equivalent of a monthly cup of coffee (or more, if you insist). Click here to support us.We publish a weekly newsletter and update the website with local news and information daily. We are editorially independent.
To subscribe to the weekly newsletter, go here.
