A textiles based exhibition comprising of cows, hats, deck chairs and textile fish. On entering the space Nelson has placed four keyring's of three cows and one donkey, said to be the cows she had to leave behind when emigrating. They are brightly coloured, something you could imagine buying in a museum shop in the pop art section. The hats create a variety of narratives. The include sailor hats, tops hats and caps. There is subtle stitching techniques implemented, some looks as though they could have been part of the hat, others are quite feminine motifs and colours. Perhaps she is commenting on the masculine and feminine coming together.
In the next room there is a school of fish hanging from the ceiling, from above head height down to waist height. They move around in the draught which was pushing it's way off the choppy sea outside and funneling through the gap under the old door. The sound and backdrop of the sea really accentuated this piece. These fragile textile fish, all unique, made in various techniques and materials from weaving to knitting and collage. They each have their very own character like the people who carefully made them. It was refreshing to see textile exhibited in an installation, and not n the usual fussy craft like way often awarded to textiles. It was a treat to be able to enter the environment, walk around the fish, navigating and swerving around them, as a viewer you become part of the installation. This exhibition clearly demonstrated the power of multiples and repetition.
Open until tomorrow November 13th
