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ReSisters – Women, Craftivism, Art & Fashion

A celebration of women transforming textiles, fashion and art at Elaine Foster-Gandey Art, Lostwithiel. 

Running from Friday 11 September to Saturday 26 September, ReSisters brings together contemporary fine art, textile art, reconstructed fashion, ceramics, jewellery, printmaking and wearable art in a celebration of the creativity, skill and imagination of women working across traditional and contemporary craft practices.

At the heart of the exhibition are the vibrant reconstructed slow-fashion collections of Redruth duo Make A Mends, whose passion for transforming second-hand clothing gives forgotten garments and textiles radical new life. Their clothing and accessories demonstrate how fashion can be imaginative, individual and sustainable, challenging the idea that old clothes are simply disposable.

Alongside Make A Mends, Elaine Foster-Gandey will show her distinctive fabric portrait outfits, skirts and jackets, together with surreal headpieces, bringing her textile portraits into the world of wearable art.

The exhibition also features work by Katie Bunnell, exhibiting ceramics; Rosie Wiscombe, showing women's and men's separates made from denim and workwear fabrics; Gemma Lessinger, with paintings and prints; Anne Blackwell-Fox, presenting reflection paintings and prints; Kathryn Smith, with abstract paintings and prints; and Della Bason, exhibiting jewellery. 

Together, the artists explore the many ways women use making, clothing, textiles and visual art to tell stories, challenge conventions, reclaim materials and create something new from what already exists.

A PROCESSION TO LAUNCH RESISTERS

The exhibition opens with a special Private View on Friday 11 September, from 5–8pm, and everyone is invited to take part. 

At 6pm, visitors and artists will leave the gallery at 15 Queen Street for a colourful procession around the streets of Lostwithiel. A number of participants will be dressed in outfits created or exhibited by the artists taking part in ReSisters, turning the town itself into a moving celebration of art, fashion and making.

The procession will leave the gallery on Queen Street, continue to Fore Street, turn right into Quay Street, continue under the archway and along South Street, before heading back up to Queen Street and returning to the gallery.

On arrival back at the gallery, there will be short talks from the exhibiting artists, giving visitors an opportunity to hear more about the inspiration, materials and ideas behind their work, followed by drinks and nibbles.


LOST IN ART – HANDS-ON TASTER WORKSHOPS

As part of Lost in Art, Lostwithiel's arts festival, visitors can cotinue the creative experience at Elaine Foster-Gandey Art on Saturday 12 September, with a programme of four hands-on workshops exploring different approaches to making, materials and the natural world. More information on this page. 

SUMMARY

Private View: Friday 11 September 2026, 5–8pm
Exhibition: Friday 11 September – Saturday 26 September 2026
Lost in Art Workshops: Saturday 12 September 2026

All events at Elaine Foster-Gandey Art, 15 Queen Street, Lostwithiel