Wool and Words
Collection:UAL Art Collection
Date: 2019
Artist: Joan Higgins (British)
Dimensions:
Wool piece: 300 x 80cm
6 books: 15 x 15cm
3 books: 21 x 29.7cm
Medium: Dyed and stitched wool flannel with image transfer, paper, textiles and found objects
Object number: UAC 970
DescriptionJoan studied MA Book Arts at Camberwell College of Arts. She says:
'This work is about contrasts and contradictions in the Yorkshire woollen industry. The images and impressions on the wool piece reflect the geography of the industry and the sharp contrasts between the purity of the wool and the filth and dirt of the production process. Fine stitching and darning with rust dye and black ink. Jobs and homes for workers but industrial diseases and urban decline. Young men fighting and dying in foreign wars wearing fine scarlet uniforms, made of Yorkshire cloth. Harsh Pennine landscape, soft water. Prosperity for the few, poverty for others. Beautiful wool, smoke, pollution, foul smells. All part of the mix.'
'This work is about contrasts and contradictions in the Yorkshire woollen industry. The images and impressions on the wool piece reflect the geography of the industry and the sharp contrasts between the purity of the wool and the filth and dirt of the production process. Fine stitching and darning with rust dye and black ink. Jobs and homes for workers but industrial diseases and urban decline. Young men fighting and dying in foreign wars wearing fine scarlet uniforms, made of Yorkshire cloth. Harsh Pennine landscape, soft water. Prosperity for the few, poverty for others. Beautiful wool, smoke, pollution, foul smells. All part of the mix.'