Tools of the Trade exhibition
A new exhibition showcasing makers’ tools alongside their work opens at the Designed and Made Gallery in Newcastle on 16 May (until 3 July)
Tools of the Trade focuses on the work of five textile artist members of the Designed and Made network – Cia Bosanquet, Jane Frazer, Susan Chaplin, Mandy Pattullo and Ali Rhind – and tries to get behind their work to explore the processes involved in creating the finished pieces. Helena Seget, one of the Designed and Made directors says: ‘Exhibiting the tools helps people understand what goes into the making processes – the energy and the labour – and helps them to appreciate the work much more.’
The tools on show range from the low-tech, such as knitting needles (Susan Chaplin) and seam rippers (Mandy Pattullo), to the digital technology Jane Frazer uses to create her large-scale sculptural installations. Some are not even what are commonly considered proper tools; for example, Ali Rhind uses a weird array of animal horns, old keys and heckle pins to create her rag rug-inspired panels. And in some cases makers use the same tools – specifically the looms Cia Bosanquet and Jane Frazer work with – to arrive at very different results. Seen together, this huge range of implements and machines makes you realise just how diverse – and innovative – today’s textile makers are.
www.designedandmade.co.uk
