issue 118 Hand in Hand
We asked our contributors to tell us about a significant conversation or collaboration involving textiles they have been a party to.
Katie Loux p.86
Thao Phuong p.54
Deborah Nash p.34
I remember a poignant conversation with textile artist Ismini Samanidou about a site-specific project in Kea, Greece. She spoke passionately about the web that she wove across the interior of a disused enamel factory, inspired by the story of Arachne from Greek mythology. Ismini wanted to achieve the impossible, to break the curse that forced Arachne to weave beautiful webs that were destined to be destroyed; her passion and dedication to weaving have stayed with me. The Pieu scarf is the treasure of the Tay people. The artisanship central to its production has been passed down from mother to daughter, linking contemporary tribal life with its ancestral roots. I’ve long been fascinated by the intricate designs of these beautiful garments – as every detail is imbued with meaning. Within the scarf ’s needlework, animals, petals, and geometric shaped celestial bodies can be seen, each with a story of the tribe’s history, daily rituals, mythologies, and beliefs.
In 2019, I lived in Walthamstow in a large shared house with a steel gate facing the main road. As Waltham Forest had been chosen as the first London Borough of Culture, there was a programme of celebrations for local landmarks and buildings, including where I lived. I collaborated with textile artist Harriott Knuckles to create a giant gateweaving to draw attention to the house for an open day. We used it as a kind of loom, weaving wool through the bars and adding crocheted elements referencing the house and its history. It remained in place for six months.