Tuesday 1 May 2018

Textiles...


Hmmm yes it's that time of year again when history is replaced by textiles.  This is not quite true as the Silk Weavers Archive are responsible for this and many folks come from all over to their Textile Day each year.  We hold an exhibition during this time and this one features many 'works of art.'  
Now my opinion of 'works of art' varies from the opinion proffered by 'art lovers' as I live in the real world.  To this end I have been told in full and frank exchange of views with the ruling authorities I am not allowed to refer to the 'artworks' as 'Tea towels.'


The ladies who produce this charge in the region of between £60 and £600 for the items on show.  I have not noticed any being sold as yet.  However I did sell a card made from one of the designs on show (£2:50) and I did think the cards look very good and our customers will appreciate them at that price.  
Some have writing on them to reveal an artists view of the world, I was banned from adding my opinion to them also, and I began to wonder about the people, all women, who produce such 'works of art' and make money from it.  Are these all middle class 'arty' women who see this a s a way to change the world or just a few who reckon they can make money out of this?   One or two will be doing workshops but so far only one person appears to have signed up for them (at £25 a go).  This goes down well at the archive so it is a surprise so few show interest, maybe they are working on their 'tea towels' 'works of art.' 


The wee camera is not that good and does not bring out the colour properly on these 'works of art' however it was all I had and to be honest this one might be improved, or not as the case may be.
Textiles, like cards made from the design, appeal to some but not to me, a cloth is ether the one you want or it is not but it is not something to spend much time worrying over.  Some women do take a long time over such things however ensuring each design matches other items, not in this house...


With such an exhibition I expected this to be my view all day.  However not only did they give me things to do but several people came in for a variety of reasons including viewing the exhibition.
This kept me awake.
Nothing else happened.



2 comments:

the fly in the web said...

I used to spin, dye and weave and enjoyed it very much...but I would not have had the nerve to display my work, let alone try to flog it!

Adullamite said...

Fly, I am convinced your work would be worth much more than this lot! On the 13th we have an open day when wimmen come from all over to see the displays, exhibition and buy stuff.
I will not be there...