Contemporary, stylish and timeless, Carole Waller’s silk clothing has been wowing the art-to-wear market for over 30 years. Her newly released collection of archive pieces continues to dazzle and bewitch.
Textile artist Carole Waller has been making one-of-a-kind hand-printed clothes and scarves since 1987. Her professional career began on a small sailing boat in the Mediterranean, after which she returned to Southampton in the UK, and then to Bath which she made her home in 1992. Carole studied painting at Canterbury and then a Fine Art Textiles MA at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Detroit.
Each garment and scarf is completely unique because it is the act of painting that is at the heart of the work – Carole revels in the luminosity of colour achieved using brushes that allow her to capture the required characteristics into her ‘canvases’, layering mark upon mark of transparent dye. The cloth also plays a hugely important role, and she uses all sorts of silks, linen and organic cottons.
The images shown here are from a recent shoot at the American Museum & Gardens, Bath, and show some very special archive pieces that were made during the 1990s. The archive goes on sale this month – it can be found on Carole’s website and at her studio on Box Road, four miles from Bath city centre.
Waller & Wood have an Open House from 11–5pm on 1–2 October as part of Batheaston Art Trail where you can also see Gary Wood’s stoneware and ceramic vessels and wall pieces. Call 07803 033629 for an appointment at any other time.
Waller&Wood, One Two Five, Box Road, Bath | carolewaller.co.uk
Green and black hand-painted silk organza coat, from ‘Peru’ collection, £950 (Chanii B shoes and necklace by Alice Menter) 
Long white coat seen from the back, hand-painted silk viscose devoré satin, from ‘Oasis’ collection, £1500
Asymmetric dress dress with writing and silk shawl across model’s arms, hand-painted silk with metallic thread, from‘ Bliss’ collection, £950 (Alice Menter earrings) 
Mucky pink hand-painted silk crepe shirt with big face, from ‘Images of Women’ collection, £395
All photographs by Egle Vasi, styling by Sarah Baker, hair and make-up by Naomi Lake