Preview Inlaid Patchwork in Europe from 1500 to the Present Day exhibition
Discovering the joys of patchwork at Leeds City Art Gallery
Preview: Inlaid Patchwork in Europe from 1500 to the Present Day exhibition
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The art of patchwork is currently experiencing a bit of a renaissance. The technique began as a way of reworking older garments using scraps of fabric, but has evolved over time into an art form. Beautiful designs are created by sewing together pieces of fabric into larger designs, often with the use of embroidery and specialist stitching.
Its popularity now is all part of the Craft-it-Yourself vibe sweeping the country – and if you’re looking for a little inspiration for your own patchwork quilt or customised clothing, then head along to the stunning new textile exhibition at Leeds City Art Gallery.
The show, rather weightily titled, Inlaid Patchwork in Europe from 1500 to the Present Day, will be in Leeds from 27th August until November and is nowhere near as dull as its title implies.
The exhibition showcases textiles from different periods in history and places in Europe and Britain. It features an array of nifty techniques, depicting horsemen, flowers, religious motifs and 19th-century celebrities. Each piece – made using a special technique where felted woollen cloth is inlaid and stitched together with embroidery and appliqué to create incredible designs – tells a story and represents an important historical or cultural event.
What’s different about these textiles is that they were made from off-cuts of woollen cloth in the tailoring industry, including military uniform – and it was usually men, not women, who made them.
Organised by the Museum of European Culture, it’s the first time many of these designs have been brought together. The exhibition has already toured Berlin and Vienna, and its last stop (and only appearance in the UK) is in Leeds – rather fittingly, a region that has a rich history of fabric and textiles. It’s possible that the cloth used in many of the textiles displayed started life in Yorkshire, given that in the 19th century the area was a leader in wool production and export.
A highlight of the exhibition is a piece belonging to Leeds Museums and Galleries, created by an unknown 19th-century tailor. Natalie Raw, Leeds City Council’s curator of costume and textiles, said: “The origins of the Leeds hanging are a mystery, what’s exciting is that the images and design raise a number of questions – was it a tailor just showing off his skills, or was he using it to make a statement in support of political reform? We may never know”.
Inlaid Patchwork in Europe from 1500 to the Present Day exhibition; from 28th August to 1st November, Leeds Art Gallery, Alongside the exhibition, look out for special events, including study days to find our more about patchwork techniques and workshops during October half term
Posted on Wednesday 25th August 2010
SH
Leeds Art Gallery
The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 3AA
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