Getting artists and makers together
As curator of Blue Patch’s latest exhibition ‘Pull My Thread – textiles for a cool planet’, I had the privilege of exploring Brantwood, John Ruskin’s home, in the Lake District. A haven of tranquility, full of art, objects, books and with thought-provoking gardens too, Brantwood is both historical archive and incubator for a better future.
Ruskin was not just an artists and writer he was a remarkable thinker who’s work helped shape democracy. Ruskin is again relevant as we move from the industrial to the green revolution. Re-reading Unto This Last shows that time past can influence time future.
Spinning a yarn
People were popping in as I was hanging the exhibition and I found myself giving impromptu talks from the top of my ladder.
Every piece of work stimulated a discussion, from the role of creativity in tackling climate change to the beauty of the green economy. I have never curated a show so full of stories.
Two kids appeared and were enraptured by the ‘oil-soaking-up’ bolster stuffed with human hair (the Green Salon Collective), fancied wearing the stripy climate map socks and playing with the trio of Dalston Dolls.
The environmental scientist Dr Susy Paisley created a unique textile pattern based on the newly minted Borrowdale Rainforest (National Trust), Vicky Putler from the Flax Project CIC is re-starting flax farming and exhibited experimental pieces for a Plymouth-made linoleum.
Nettle spinning, bulrush fleece-making, the ‘reinventions’ from the Royal Ballet and Opera’s* donated materials and drawings led to debate on labour laws in Victorian Britain…..the show was a melting pot of history, technique, sustainability and imagination.
One exhibit, Interwoven, a collaborative textile ‘patchwork’ supports the work of the critically important charity Stop Ecocide International.
The exhibition opening saw everyone basking in the sunshine at Brantwood’s Terrace Restaurant (Chef Joe made us a lasagne for 20!) the weather was blissful.
Where will the thread pull us?
We will bring everyone together again; some to participate in our sustainable materials grid (Decorex, Olympia, 6-9 Oct.) and others will meet to tackle the challenge of flooding at our Coffee, Cake & Connect workshop, on the 18 September in Herne Hill – where John Ruskin was born and where I live! Brantwood Road and Ruskin Park are a short walk from my door).
As with all exhibitions, what you see matters the most, so enjoy the tour by photographer Taormina Miller.
A little extra: Blue Patch members based in the Lake District, including Laura’s Loom and Shape Furniture. And on TV, Sustainable Rope on Countryfile.
*previously the Royal Opera House.
Exhibition is from 27 July to 22 September, 2024. Come to our next exhibition or workshop, sign up for our monthly newsletter – we’d love to invite you.
Unto This Last
Ruskin’s four essays make up ‘Unto This Last‘, written in his very best flowery language, is small book inspired great change, it influenced Gandhi and the founders of the Labour Party.
Nestled inside his often eccentric metaphors are such contemporary ideas. I agree wholeheartedly that a product must be good. This is justification for investigating the lifecycle of products – their social and their environmental impact.
Like Ruskin, Blue Patch is committed to raising awareness of pollution and protecting the natural world. We want to see a thriving, creative economy too.
Pull My Thread will spin out over time and space as ideas never stop evolving.
