Tracey Emin commission COLLECT 2011
Caron Penney working on the Black Cat tapestry
Tracey Emin has commissioned the West Dean Tapestry Studio to translate one of her paintings, Black Cat, into tapestry. This is Tracey’s first venture into this medium. The tapestry will be unveiled at COLLECT 2011, Saatchi Gallery on the 6 May 2011.
Tracey Emin says: “The Black Cat is one of my favourite paintings. It took me over seven years to complete, not because I was hesitant, but because it’s two completely different paintings. It has bold strong shapes as well as subtle washes of colour. I thought this would be perfect for a tapestry, and I am delighted with the work Caron and Philip have done in translating my work to the woven form.” Emin adds: “Black Cat has many layers, emotionally as well as literally. The painting underneath is landscape, and is of a figure crouching down with the words ‘Things I say NO to’. I then turned the painting so it was portrait, and with the inspiration of the Edgar Allan Poe story, The Black Cat, I proceeded to paint what appears to be a rather demonic self-portrait in my long black dress.”
Caron Penney, Studio Director who is weaving the tapestry alongside Philip Sanderson said “The Black Cat painting is an absolute pleasure to weave; it contains the most delicate subtleties within its many layers which are translating beautifully into tapestry. It is wonderful to be working with Tracey, as it is a life-time ambition fulfilled. I hope many people will come to COLLECT to see this exciting work.”
The Black Cat tapestry will be unveiled at COLLECT which is being held at the Saatchi Gallery, 6 – 9 May 2011. COLLECT is one of the Crafts Council’s flagship events and over the last eight years has built up an outstanding reputation as the premiere fair in Europe for contemporary craft.
The West Dean Tapestry Studio has a long history of collaborating with contemporary artists. The studio was founded in 1976 when the daughter of artist Henry Moore approached the workshop and asked if the professional weavers could translate one of Moore’s drawings into tapestry. So delighted were Henry and his daughter with the resulting sample that 23 Moore tapestries were commissioned and the Tapestry Studio was born.
Over the years the Studio has worked with many artists including John Piper, Philip Sutton, Howard Hodgkin, Bill Jacklin, Adrian Berg and many of its own Studio designers.
The Studio works to commission for private and corporate clients. Commissions range from small-scale domestic pieces to large public works. Working with architects and a wide range of public and private institutions to the designs of well-known artists or our award-winning in-house designers, the West Dean weavers employ the traditional Gobelin techniques to create each unique tapestry.
COLLECT 2011 is being held at the Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ King’s Road London SW3 4SQ. Friday 6 May:11am – 6pm; Saturday 7 May: 11am – 6pm; Sunday 8 May:11am – 6pm and Monday 9 May: 11am – 4pm.
Caron Penney and Philip Sanderson are available for interview.
For information on the West Dean Tapestry Studio, to arrange an interview or request high-resolution images, please contact: Ellen Cheshire, +44 (0)1243 818277, ellen.cheshire@westdean.org.uk or Jenny Dwyer-Ward, +44 (0)1243 818265
jenny.dwyer-ward@westdean.org.uk
Notes to Editors
• West Dean Tapestry Studio is part of The Edward James Foundation Limited, a charitable trust, which also comprises the West Dean College, West Dean Gardens and West Dean Estate.
• West Dean College runs over 700 short courses in a variety of arts, crafts and music areas each year and full-time postgraduate programmes in visual arts, conservation and making.
• Learn more about West Dean and the Edward James Foundation at www.westdean.org.uk
• The Crafts Council’s goal is to make the UK the best place to make, see, collect and learn about contemporary craft. They believe that craft plays a dynamic and vigorous role in the UK’s social, economic and cultural life and everyone should have the opportunity to make, see, collect and learn about craft.
• To find out everything you need to know about where to make, see, collect and learn about contemporary craft visit www.craftscouncil.org.uk and follow us on Facebook and Twitter
• The Crafts Council is supported by Arts Council England.
For information on COLLECT 2011 please contact Iliana Taliotis, Chris Baker or Matt Railton at Colman Getty +44 (0)20 7631 2666, matt@colmangetty.co.uk
For information on the Crafts Council please contact Jill Read, Press Officer on +44 (0) 20 7806 2549 or media@craftscouncil.org.uk
