By Hilary Porter

PREPARE to be dazzled!

The National Trust’s Mottisfont in Hampshire is celebrating the sensational work of world-renowned artist Kaffe Fassett, showcasing a wide range of textiles from a career spanning over 50 years.

For the first time, Kaffe is displaying over 70 hand-selected items from his personal collection in a series of five colour-themed rooms in Mottisfont’s contemporary gallery.

The gallery has been totally transformed with pools of vibrant colour, providing the perfect backdrop for Kaffe’s distinctive knitwear, tapestry, quilts and more. It’s the National Trust property’s first major textile exhibition.

Kaffe Fassett has inspired people across the world with his colourful work in fabric, knitting, needlepoint and patchwork, and was the first living textile artist to have a one-man show at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Keen to encourage others to find their own creativity, he has produced 40 publications, including ‘how to’ books, and tours internationally giving workshops and lectures.

Exhibits at Mottisfont are accompanied by quotes from the artist about his inspirations, setting into context his passion for bold colours and styles.

Kaffe has spent decades delving ever-deeper into his passion for colour and every piece of work has been specially selected to complement the mood of the individual spaces, and their historic setting in the former 13th-century priory.

Kaffe told the Daily Echo: “I create in palettes of colour because that is my main obsession. This show is a series of rooms in colour groups, starting with neutral greys and fresh, blue and white combinations. Then a world of spring greens, from vegetable needlepoints to a patchwork of green prints. Sunny yellows are next, with knits, needlepoint and patchwork in lemons, ambers and primrose tones. Then we move on to a deep world of Islamic blues to create a cool pool of luminous cobalts, indigos, purples and jade greens. We end with a celebration of rich red tones, from opera pink to scarlet and wine shades, with Russian and Oriental influences. Everything in this exhibition is to help others create exciting but low-tech textiles.”

The exhibition features bright and beautiful quilts in every room, alongside a huge variety of other pieces showcasing Kaffe’s artistic skills. As you enter the gallery, you are met with hand-painted vases, needlepoints and cushions in the first room, alongside a large screen decorated with a painting of china ware.

A vibrant armchair patterned with vegetables takes centre stage in the second, green-themed room, complemented by bright vegetable-themed cushions and carpets. The yellow theme is encapsulated in knitted clothing and patchworks.

The third room of deep blues and purples includes a stunning Persian stars quilt which covers an entire wall. This is complemented by other quilts in similar shades, knitted jackets and an oil painting. The final room of rich reds and pinks is also dominated by luxuriously patterned quilts, alongside bold knitted pieces.

An American artist Kaffe moved to England in the singing Sixties and never looked back. It was a trip to Scotland to visit a wool mill that set him on course for a career in textiles at the age of 28. Inspired by the colours in the landscape, he was thrilled to find the same colours in yarns. He bought 20 colours of Shetland wool and some knitting needles, and on the train back to London a fellow passenger taught him how to knit. His first design appeared as a full page spread in Vogue Knitting magazine.

Fashion house, Missoni and fashion designer, Bill Gibb commissioned Kaffe’s early commercial collections, and his one-of-a-kind designs have been collected by famous names such as Barbra Streisand, Lauren Bacall, Ali McGraw, Irene Worth, Shirley Maclaine and H.R.H Princess Michael of Kent.

Recalling his arrival on English soil he says:"When I first came to England I had to come to terms with grey: grey sky, grey fog, grey pinstripe suits, grey umbrellas. England was filthy- it's so sparkly and clean now. It was very dour , like a mill town and I've watched it emerge out of the grime."

Talking about his obsession with colour he added: "I’m amazed by colour and I’m fascinated with the truth of it. Discovering textiles it’s all about colour to me. A lot of people believe textiles are beige but I bought 20 colours and put them in my first sweater and I never looked back!"

Kaffe tours the world teaching others through workshops but says:“I’m not theoretical. I left school when they brought out the colour wheel. I don’t want to be reduced to a theory. It’s important to put in the time , experiment and play. You don’t teach them- you just put the materials in their hand and say ‘have a go’. It’s a very physical hands -on experience. It’s not a thought process.”

It’s a busy life for the youthful looking 80-year-old who says: “It’s a great therapy colour- don’t even mention the ‘R’ word (retirement)! If you want me to die just take away my toys:take away my creative life.”

*Mottisfont’s shop is stocking many of Kaffe’s publications to help inspire others, too, as well as other colourful merchandise.

Mottisfont’s Christmas offering this year is inspired by the Kaffe Fassett exhibition, celebrating the festive season with bright colour and sparkle. The house is dressed with statement trees, piles of presents and dramatic flower arrangements, while outside there are artist installations and celebrations of natural winter colours. All the Colours of Christmas runs until January 2.

Kaffe Fassett’s Colour at Mottisfont runs until January 14.