Ainsley Hillard

I am fascinated by the physical and metaphorical construction of cloth and its relation to body, memory and space. 

Hillard has an interdisciplinary approach to her art practice, embracing both textile and non-textile materials and processes including digital and traditional hand weaving, print, photography as well as audio-visual technologies.

Hillard’s work is exhibited nationally and internationally and has been awarded First Prize in the Wales Contemporary/Cymru Gyfoes International juried exhibition. Her work has been selected for the Valcellina Award, Italy; received First Prize in the International Textile Exhibition, Belgium, the International Textiles Biennial Scythia, Ukraine and the Shell Fremantle Print Award, Australia. Within International Juried exhibitions she has been awarded ‘Excellent Honourable Mention’ in the 8^th Cheongju International Craft Biennale, Korea and the 7^th and 8^th’ Lausanne to Beijing’ International Fiber Art Biennale by the China Craft & Art Association.

She has undertaken several site-referential installations and private commissions in partnership with the National Trust, Mission Gallery, Swansea and Aberglasney Trust, Carmarthenshire, Wales. Her exhibition ‘Into the light of things’ and audio-textile installation ‘Forest of Forgotten Shadows’ at the  National Trusts, Newton House was awarded ‘Excellence in Visual Arts & Crafts’ for the Celebration of Culture Awards, Carmarthenshire County Council.

Her work is included in the National Trust Contemporary Art Collection, the Lloyd Cotsen Textile Traces Collection, USA and the Fibre Art Collection of the City of 
Chieri, Italy. 

Photos: Dewi Tannatt Lloyd