It has been wonderful to be involved in another show at the Verdant Mills, this time with edge textile artists scotland.
The Jute Mill, Verdant Works, at Dundee provides a gold mine of textile inspiration and
information, not least from the fact that the Golden Fibre, jute, was the
reason for its establishment. The large archive and images available cover and
bring us a sense of a time now gone. A photographic image that captured this most for me provided inspiration
The simple stance and directness of gaze of
the workers within the weaving shed immediately draws one into imagining their working
day; the strong metal structures contrast against the human stance holding the
eye and drawing one into the scene. A song by June Tabor and Maddy Prior, Four Loom Weaver came to mind but while
it captured a certain aspect it was not the right song for this project.
Further research and The Jute Mill Song by Mary Brooksbank
sprung to my attention. The words
have a power and simplicity which immediately captured a sense in the picture….
Mary gives us a glimpse of not only the conditions in the factory but the wages
that were worked for. It led me to find
out more and speak to the owner of copyright for the words.
My
original thoughts were of a piece where layers slowly revealed the characters but
the directness of the lyrics made me explore the idea of sound waves and light
waves. This set the journey for my finished piece; simple use of the powerful
lyrics and the reverberating lines of the workers
My thanks and by kind permission of Peter
Shepheard I use the words of The Jute Mill Song. He also kindly
gave me access to Mary singing the song providing me with a sound backdrop while
I did my work.
| Lots more to see and the show is on until April 23rd, check Verdant works for opening times |
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| sound waves...Picture top left hand corner sold |
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| Such a variety of pieces! |
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