Angie McDonald

Winter Hill 1 and 2; 2026

Weaving

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Fortunate and blessed to reside in such a beautiful part of Greater Manchester with such iconic vista, surrounding countryside and a road network that connects us to both sides of th’ill. The artist has hand woven two textile tapestries of views of Winter Hill.

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Weave 1 is a combining of images of photographs of Standish/Wigan side (permission to use photo image from Chris Fletcher 2026) and Bottom of th’Moor (artists own image). It has been purposefully woven to suggest the wavering childhood memories of always having the Hill and the Mast as a point of connection and grounding to the area of growing up. The heavy dark roadway acts as frame for adult journeys ahead into new prospects.

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Weave 2 is from photo images taken on route in the car on Belmont Road Bolton travelling Northwards. This is a bolder weave as the adventure and memories are new, fresh and suggest an excitement for the journey ahead.

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Rooted and Grounded, 2023

Sculpture

 

The composition; ‘Rooted and Grounded ‘shares the artists story of the sense of upheaval, displacement, waiting, frustrations and being out of normal routine because of their sale of their residence of 40 years. Residing with their parent during this time, for which they were very grateful, the artist found new walks, new opportunities new vista and new strengths. The tipi tent suggests the feeling of shelter and protection during this nomadic season.

Inspiration was taken from the many tree forms during walks around the beautiful area of Rivington and Winter Hill, which were photographed, sketched and painted.

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The hand-woven textile pieces were created using a variety of hand dyed cottons, jute, hessian, wool and other fabrics. These were woven on and off a floor loom using a variety of weaving techniques including plain weave, soumak weaving, rya knotting and looping, plaiting and twisting. This forms the dynamic depth of texture of the bark, vines, mosses, ivy and lichens that decorate and dress the outer and inner layers of the trunk and branches.

 

The pieces were hand stitched together to form the textile sculpture of the tipi tent suggesting shelter as we endure the twists and turns and growing pains of life.

 

Sunset over Winter Hill 2026

Acrylic painting on canvas.

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The hues suggest the vividness and extreme brightness of the glorious sunsetting over Winter Hill.