Leslie Wilson Rutterford

Born in Denver, Colorado in the USA in 1957 to artist parents: Farrar Wilson and Joanne Wilson. One sister followed in 1959. We lived in Norway and Mexico by the time I was 4, then mainly raised in California, seeing the 60's, 70's there before emigrating to London in 1981.

Influenced by the abstract expressionistic paintings of my father, and the arts and crafts approach of my mother, I was artistic from an early age. My sister and I were raised in an environment of culture, both classical and contemporary.

Over the years I have worked in many different mediums inc: drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, ceramics, various crafts, textiles, quiltmaking, model-making, presentations, cards, memory and special occasion unique books. I have multifarious interests and passions from philosophy to Pop Art; archeology to popular culture. With my roots in art, I have also been a specialist seamstress for designers, done a degree in Interior Design, had two children aged 25 and 7.

Combining my skills in art, craft and design, I now making artist books, multiples, and other related pieces. My first response is to the visual, while words and text are placed in new or unusual settings, exploring the potential for alter...

Educated in California including High School Diploma, Associates Degree in Fine Art 1981; Sample Seamstress for English Eccentrics 6 years, Freelance for Ben de Lisi, Hussein Chalayan (where I learned you can sew on paper!), Central St. Martins, Harrow Degree shows; Bachelors Degree Interior Design University of North London (now London Metropolitan).
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Past exhibitions and fairs include:
BOOKMARKS lV, University of West England, Bristol, May 06
EXHIBITION REVIEW of 'Word Into Art' at the British Museum for UWE Artists Book Newsletter, Sept 06
LONDON ARTISTS BOOK FAIR (LAB), ICA , Nov 06
BOOKMARKED, Crockatt & Powell Bookshop, Nov 06
REGENERATOR: Altered book exhibition and swap, UWE, Bristol, April 07
ABC: altered book exhibition, Northampton University, May 07
BRISTOL ARTISTS BOOK EVENT (BABE), Arnolfini, Bristol, April 07
RICH & STRANGE: Altered Book exhibition & lending library, Newport School of Art, University of Wales, Aug 07
IN THE BEDROOM, Group exhibition, Ladyfest Bristol, Aug-Sept 07
LONDON ARTISTS BOOK FAIR (LAB), ICA, Nov 07
RICH & STRANGE: Altered Book exhibition, Hereford College of Art, Jan-Feb 08
RICH & STRANGE: Altered Book exhib...