Sophy Louise - Shared Histories

18.03.22 - 29.03.22

"Exploring the relationship between past and present, ‘Shared Histories’ celebrates Scotland’s industrious past, from farming, fishing, to craft. The historical roots of these industries shape our utilisation of the landscapes surrounding us, which are steeped in cultural heritage. Land was cultivated and farmed, leaving a quilt of patchwork fields throughout the countryside, harbour-side settlements developed over time and shifted migration patterns throughout Scotland. Craft flourished in domestic environments as women found ways to express themselves through textiles.

Utilising rug-making to explore these themes of tradition in a contemporary context, the collection seeks to celebrate the lasting impact of historical trades that sustained ordinary Scots. Redefining the notion of ‘womens work’, of craft, as a lesser example of creative expression, the entire collection is framed within the medium of wool, to acknowledge the importance of traditional craft and making."