Textile Narratives: Politics, Belonging, Material Culture and Memory
Led by master printmaker Faye McNulty and cultural theorist Dr. Sian Weston
What universal issues emerge from Duro Olowu’s curation of Making & Unmaking? ‘Let Me Tell You a Story’ will draw out key elements highlighted in the exhibition, including cultural appropriation, cultural identity, textiles and protest, collecting, collections and bricolage, and gender stereotypes. Each week, participants will cover two distinct areas in order to understand the wider meaning of the works included in the exhibition. In the final seminar, participants will have an opportunity to take part in a ‘show and tell’ session, where they deconstruct a treasured object from their own collection.
McNulty and Weston take polar opposite positions in terms of ‘making’ and ‘un-making’:
McNulty is an acknowledged master of making – she understands construction and the measures needed to create objects.
Weston uses fashion and textiles to deconstruct meta-themes that reflect a wider society – she picks at the seams to understand the role of fashion, craft and photography within the cultural landscape.
A wooden print block (unknown year) and fabrics from Yinka Shonibare's installations 'The Victorian Philanthropist's Parlour' and 'Nelson's Ship in a Bottle'.
Over the weeks of August, myself and Dr Sian have been leading seminars at the Camden Arts Centre. We were overwhelmed with the engagement of the participants, unafraid to discuss and impressive grasp of the content.
Thank you Camden Arts Centre for the invitation, we enjoyed the exhibition greatly.