A Ukrainian textile artist whose inspiring work helped her recover from cancer is hosting her first solo exhibition.
Lena Archbold was born and brought up in Kyiv and had successful careers in economics and then technology before being diagnosed with leukaemia in 2010. Lena had moved to the UK after completing a student exchange in 1994 and then marrying a Jarrow man in 1998.
Her treatment at Sunderland Royal Hospital – she had more than 70 bouts of chemotherapy – was successful, and it was while recovering that she found a passion and talent for felt-making.
Since then she has developed her practice and created a virtual community around her popular feltmaking online school, Felt with Lena, that she launched in 2018.
Lena’s first solo exhibition has opened at Arts Centre Washington (ACW). The exhibition, Felting Connections, features ten main pieces which reflect both her personal battle with cancer and her nation’s fight against Russian invaders.
Lena said: “I found working and creating in felt helped with my recovery from cancer. It gave me something to focus on and enjoy – and it kept me busy.
"Physically, my recovery took about a year, but mentally it took a lot longer and working with felt certainly helped with my recovery."
Lena, the mother of two teenage children, added: “I’d been interested in creating and making things since I was five-years-old, but I was so busy with my career I didn’t have time to think about being creative.
"While I was recovering from cancer I had the time – and wasn’t physically able to do much more."
Felting Connections is being supported by women’s health organisation Sangini. During the Covid lockdown, Lena taught members of Sangini the art of felting – with some becoming established felting artists themselves.
Matt Blyth, Culture and Heritage Officer at ACW added: “Lena uses felt as a canvas to intertwine textures and colours and tell stories of her passion and resilience.
Most read:
- Washington resident proud to cut ribbon on new M&S store
- Owners of pub hit with one star hygiene rating explain reason for low score
- A-listers descend on County Durham as filming for blockbuster film continues
"Felting Connections is a testament to the human spirit's capacity for resilience, hope, and connection.”
In solidarity with Ukraine, Felting Connections features a special section of yellow and blue felted, crocheted and knotted brooches contributed by artists from around the world. Each unique flower brooch represents a collective expression of unity and each brooch will be available for purchase, with proceeds dedicated to raising funds for Ukraine.
Felting Connections, a free exhibition, will be at ACW until June 20, and for more information, go to https://www.artscentrewashington.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here