Yesterday's Textiles and Tea was about tapestry, the fine art of the world of weaving. Presenting was
Great tapestry weaver and a member of the Wednesday Group, about a dozen world class weavers and other artists who met regularly to work, led by Archie Brennan.
He's one of the best tapestry weavers there's ever been, came to it via apprenticeship in Scotland, always as an art. He was a painter in thread.
Brenda collaborated with him on his autobiography, so as to preserve his teaching methods and words, and had to finish and edit it after his death.
On Brenda's own work, she's currently trying to get away from realistic representation, after studying Archie's work and years of exposure to more abstract woven art.
Here, right, is her other interest, kumihimo, Japanese braiding
These are placemats woven from linen paper fiber and denim thread.
She lives often on a boat, and discussed the limitations of working in a rocking studio or on deck in a wind, and planning her supplies ahead of time, with great cooperation from her husband.
But she does have dry land locations, too and exhibits with other weavers. She's off soon for a textile trip to Japan, hoping for more kumihimo in the cradle of the art form.
Interesting person, and so lucky to have known Archie Brennan closely. He's the mentor and inspiration for a whole generation of tapestry weavers, often credited with bringing tapestry into the modern art world.
Then I came across this group yesterday, courtesy of the blog Spitalfields Life.
They're the Broderers (embroiderers) of St Paul's Cathedral, working on creating and restoring church and other ceremonial robes.
You'll see one practicing one of my great interests, gold work. They mention how hard it is to get thread of actual gold.
Well, I know someone with a little stash of it, a gift from her gold work teacher, currently stored with her beads and other decorative materials.
Back to St Paul's
Their workroom is high up in the building, just under the bells. Quite a taxing climb up to work.
Happy day everyone, enjoy your making, whatever form it takes.
Suddenly I am feeling better on this beautiful day and for the first time in well over a week I actually feel like cooking and have made a sort of soup/chowder with a tiny bit of Easter ham, onions, red peppers, celery, potato, corn, and broccoli. That is all simmering in a nice broth and I will probably add a little cream and also, some of our sugar snap peas.
ReplyDeleteNothing as fancy or long-lasting as gold work but reassuring and satisfying to me.
I'm so glad you're feeling well again. It's been a dramatic few days.
DeleteI cannot even guess how such intricate weaving is done.
ReplyDeleteMany bobbins!
DeleteSo many talented people!
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing you have read 'A Single Thread' by Tracy Chevalier - about the embroiderers of Winchester - a brilliant story
I'll look that up, because I don't think I have. Thank you.
DeleteI am humbled by tis work, the weaving and the broidery. So many years of expertise.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing to see.
DeleteMany years ago I followed the blog of a woman who did that elaborate embroidery on church vestments. She was a fascinating and creative person with beautiful snow white hair. Her health failed and she signed off blogging. I imagine she's long since gone to her reward.
ReplyDeleteCan you remember her name? I might be able to find her.
DeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteYes. I'm glad you enjoyed seeing it.
DeleteBoud, not only was the embroidery work on the church vestments was quite amazing to see and also the work location under the bells!
ReplyDeleteI wonder about that. A bit high up for my taste, and a bit close to many tons of metal bells..
DeleteIt's amazing what people can do with fabric and thread. I love the tapestry on the cover of his book.
ReplyDeleteHe was truly an artist. He worked with the simplest of upright looms, no aids, all the weaver's skill.
DeleteThank you so much for posting this -- it was fascinating. I used to do a lot of needlepoint -- nothing so complicated as some of this. But I know how much time it takes and these are truly dedicated people.
ReplyDeleteYes, embroidery is a slow art. Beautiful but slow.
DeleteBeautiful weavings - the portrait is especially intriguing. It's wonderful that the ladies of St. Paul are preserving the older works.
ReplyDeleteAre they working on coronation robes?
ReplyDeleteI'd guess there's a Royal squad for that. These are strictly ecclesiastical.
DeleteI do like the weaving. the embroidery though, not so much. all that gold and wealth spent on buildings and clothes only a handful of men would wear all to the glory of god when it should have gone to helping those in need.
ReplyDeleteThe other way of seeing it is that many embroiderers were women supporting families on their home based income. There was a lot of collateral employment, of weavers, dyers, spinners and embroiderers, in service to what we now see as pomp. In fact in the 19th century there was a movement to enable women to be independentlyv living, earning for themselves, in the US, in exactly this way.
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