It seems that not a great deal has happened in the textile world , since almost the whole world went into lockdown in March 2020. However lockdown has given us the opportunity to slowdown and recalibrate and connect .The population of London is over 9 million but during lockdown it began to feel like a small village. We walked and talked and shared common experiences of being in our gilded cages and things were not all bad.
When we slowly opened up again I went to Camden Art Centre to see the Botanical Mind . Art, Mysticism and The Cosmic Tree. So much information and connection I felt positively giddy . It certainly wasn’t a serene experience but I totally identified with all its ideas. From Hildegarde of Bingen to C.G Jung ,Albers and beyond it echoed the idea that us textile lovers see and understand through our handling of textiles from diverse cultural back grounds.
I have added the film from the exhibition here as it explains the idea far better than I will:
More recently I was asked by Polly Lenard the founder of Selvedge to do a virtual talk on the subject of Collecting which Polly has kindly consented to me posting here .
I was joined by Sophie Roet and Bess Nielsen.
Virtual seems to be the modus of the day and staring on 26 th January until 14 th February I will be exhibiting at a virtual fair.
I have not acquired a great deal of late but we have added a few new acquisitions, a new Ikat robe , andIkat mounted panel in Islamic and a very graphic Cameroon Ndop cloth in Africa.
As I write Joe Biden has just been sworn in as Us President and world seems a safer, better place.
However Covid is still a very present issue so please all stay safe.
We will emerge from this episode with a clearer understanding of who we really are and what we must do to benefit the common good.