Project Overview: As an artist, my practice revolves around storytelling, community engagement, and the exploration of memory through textile art. I propose to create a large-scale tapestry (textile panel) by, Weaving the Stories of Gee Cross and Hyde, capturing the rich, interwoven narratives of those who have lived in the past and those who currently reside in these historical areas. This tapestry (textile panel) will serve as a collective portrait of the community, representing its memories, culture, and the shifting experiences of its people.

Additionally, I will create a series of smaller textile works called Memory Blankets (quilts), designed specifically for the elderly members of the community. These intimate pieces will allow individuals to have available to them a keepsake that reflects their stories and experiences.

The project is inspired by the works of artists like Grayson Perry, who uses tapestry to explore social histories, and Kai Syng Tan, who focuses on place, identity, and human experiences. By drawing on these influences, my goal is to create art that speaks to both the personal and collective memory of Gee Cross and Hyde, while fostering a meaningful connection with the community.

Objectives:

• To create a tapestry (textile panel) that captures the voices, histories, and experiences of people from Gee Cross and Hyde, both past and present.
• To engage with local residents through workshops, interviews, and storytelling sessions, using these narratives as inspiration for the artwork.
• To provide patients who have memory care needs, elderly residents and the wider community with a tangible connection to their memories and histories through the creation of Memory Blankets (quilts).
• To encourage a deeper sense of community and shared identity through a collaborative art process.

Research and Community Engagement: Central to this project is the research phase, where I will immerse myself in the local history and contemporary experiences of Gee Cross and Hyde. My research will involve:

• Oral Histories and Interviews: I would like to hold storytelling workshops, interviews with residents, and oral archives, particularly focusing on elderly members of the community who have lived through significant changes in the area. These oral histories will form the basis for both the tapestry (textile panel) and Memory Blankets (quilts).

• Archival Research: In addition to contemporary stories, I will delve into local archives, historical documents, and photographs that reflect the deep heritage of Gee Cross and Hyde. This historical context will be integrated into the visual narrative of the tapestry (textile panel).

• Community Workshops: To organise textile workshops where participants can contribute ideas, designs, or even small woven pieces that can be integrated into the final work. This allows the community to have a direct hand in the creation process.

Creative Process: The tapestry (textile panel) will be designed as a response to the stories gathered throughout the research phase. Inspired by Grayson Perry’s approach to tapestry, which brings together contemporary and historical themes through vibrant, intricate storytelling, the work will reflect the diversity of experiences and identities in Gee Cross and Hyde. The use of bold colours, textures, and symbol represent key aspects of the narratives shared while also capturing the changing landscape and spirit of the community.

Exploring a Collaboration with Flanders Tapestries: Bringing a New Tapestry Proposal to Life

Tapestry art, with its rich historical roots and intricate craftsmanship, offers a unique medium for storytelling. With the ability to capture complex ideas, emotions, and narratives within a single woven piece, tapestry holds a unique place at the intersection of art and heritage. Collaborating with Flanders Tapestries, renowned for their high-quality, and custom-produced tapestries, presents an exciting opportunity to bring a new proposal to life in a medium that resonates both aesthetically and culturally. While this endeavour would be contingent on financial resources, working with Flanders Tapestries could elevate this project into a piece of art that speaks to contemporary themes through a classical, meticulously crafted form.

The Art of Tapestry: A Tradition of Storytelling and Cultural Expression

Tapestries have a long history as vehicles for storytelling, often used to depict historical events, cultural symbols, and social narratives. Their woven textures, layered with colour and design, create a tactile experience that engages viewers on multiple levels. By working with a company like Flanders Tapestries, which continues the age-old techniques while embracing modern technology, this project could combine the strength of tradition with the flexibility of contemporary design. This fusion would allow the tapestry to remain rooted in history while representing current themes, offering viewers a unique, time-bridging experience.

Flanders Tapestries: Craftsmanship and Innovation

Based in Belgium, Flanders Tapestries has earned an international reputation for its mastery in producing high-quality tapestries, employing a fusion of age-old craftsmanship with digital precision. They have produced work for many artists, including Grayson Perry, bringing unique visions to life in a way that remains true to each artist’s individual style and intent. Through their use of advanced Jacquard weaving techniques, Flanders Tapestries can reproduce intricate designs, textures, and layers of colour with precision. This partnership would bring the expertise of Flanders’ artisans into the creative process, ensuring that the final piece is a seamless expression of the proposed design.

The Potential for a Unique, Thought-Provoking Piece

If finances allow, this collaboration would enable the tapestry proposal to evolve into a physical artefact with depth and dimension, offering a textured narrative for viewers to explore. A custom tapestry created in partnership with Flanders would serve as more than just a visual experience; it would invite viewers to reflect on the themes of the proposal, exploring the intersection of memory, history, and personal stories.

Creating a tapestry through Flanders Tapestries would also mean working closely with their design and weaving teams to ensure the final piece remains true to the vision. This process would involve translating the proposal’s visual and thematic elements into a woven form, preserving its complexity while adding the tactile richness that only a physical tapestry can provide.

A Platform for Broader Engagement and Connection

A tapestry crafted by Flanders would be an engaging centrepiece, suitable for display in galleries, community spaces, or festivals. It could serve as a springboard for conversations and workshops, allowing communities to engage with the piece on a deeper level. By creating an accessible, inclusive space for interaction, this tapestry could inspire viewers to connect with its themes and each other, fostering discussions about the ideas and experiences that shape us.

The Memory Blankets (quilts) will be smaller, more intimate pieces that focus on individual stories. Each blanket will represent a personal narrative or memory, using a combination of textiles, embroidery, and found materials from the local environment. These blankets will be gifted to elderly participants, allowing them to hold a tactile representation of their life’s story.

Influences: Grayson Perry’s large-scale tapestries have been instrumental in showing how textile art can reflect complex societal narratives, and his ability to blend humour, critique, and empathy into his work resonates with my own approach. Grayson Perry’s focus on identity, class, and society parallels the themes I intend to explore within the Gee Cross and Hyde communities.

Similarly, Kai Syng Tan’s interdisciplinary approach, which blends storytelling, performance, and community interaction, inspires my commitment to deep community engagement. Kai Syng Tan’s ability to explore the nuances of place and belonging through her art serves as a guide for me in creating works that are both personal and universal.

Materials and Techniques: The tapestry (textile panel) will be created using a combination of traditional craft techniques, embroidery, and mixed media. I plan to incorporate sustainably sourced materials, such as natural dyes or recycled vintage fabrics, to further connect the work to the physical environment of Gee Cross and Hyde. The Memory Blankets (quilts) will also incorporate a variety of textiles, including wool, cotton, and upcycled fabrics.

Timeline:

• Research Phase: 2-3 months gathering, archival research.
• Design Phase: 1 month to create the overall design for the tapestry (textile panel) and blankets, incorporating feedback and ideas from the community.
• Creation Phase: 3-4 months to create and assemble the tapestry (textile panel) and create the Memory Blankets (quilts).
• Exhibition and Presentation: I would like to display the final works in a public exhibition, where the community can gather to view and discuss the tapestry (textile panel). The Memory Blankets (quilts) will be distributed to the elderly participants during this event.

Community Impact: This project aims to give the people of Gee Cross and Hyde a platform to share their stories, reflect on their collective history, and celebrate their community. By engaging directly with residents, I hope to create a sense of ownership over the artwork, where everyone feels that their voice has been heard and visually represented.

The Memory Blankets (quilts) will provide a meaningful, personal gift to elderly participants, honouring their experiences and contributions to the community. These blankets will not only serve as art but as cherished keepsakes, strengthening intergenerational connections.

Conclusion: Weaving the Stories of Gee Cross and Hyde is an ambitious, community-driven project that seeks to bring people together through the shared art of storytelling and textiles. By combining historical research, personal narratives, and creative collaboration, this tapestry (textile panel) will serve as a lasting tribute to the people who have shaped this unique area. I am excited about this project to foster connections, preserve memories, and create a visually stunning representation of a community’s journey across time.

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