News release
October 1 2008

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New Installation attracting international acclaim

A remarkable installation – Journeys- by visual artist and felt maker, Claire de Ruiter, has been

 attracting plaudits from visitors to her solo exhibition at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery.

Visitors to the evocative exhibit are greeted by the familiar sight of a drystone wall, meandering for 15

 metres around a tree. Yet closer inspection reveals that each stone in the wall has been created from

 felt, handmade using sheepswool from local farms on the artist’s year long journey along the most

 dangerous stretch of road in Britain – the A537 ‘Cat and Fiddle road from Macclesfield to Buxton.

Journeys has been a year in the making and has involved others along the way including farmers,

 rambler, rangers and bikers who Claire invited to create their own felt ‘stone’. Trapped within each is

a drawing or piece of text relating to their own personal journey.  

Alongside the wall towers a stunning felted ‘wishing tree’.  Embedded within its woollen embrace are

 wishes collected along the route.  Fleeting images of some of the wishes can be seen amongst the

shadows on the gallery wall and this is perhaps the true surprise. Reading people’s wishes, it

becomes clear that what really matters are not the modern ailments of greed and discontent but most

 definitely happiness and health.

The Exhibition runs until 1^st November at Buxton Museum & Art Gallery.

-ends-

For further information contact:

Claire de Ruiter

Tel: 01625 574389 e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

www.clairederuiter.co.uk 

Comments from visitors include:

Journeys - Claire de Ruiter Runs until 1st November 2008

Buxton Museum & Art Gallery

Terrace Road, Buxton, Derbyshire,

SK17 6DA

tel: 01298 24658

open Tues to Fri 9.30 - 5.30, Sat 9.30 - 5, Sun (until end of Sept) 10.30 - 5