Kirklees #ThreadsOfSurvival Quilts Go on Display
the lockdown project, supported by tsl kirklees, involved 36 local craftspeople.
Kirklees Libraries are displaying the Kirklees part of this national project in local libraries, before the quilts go on tour. Groups from Lindley and Denby Dale contributed to the Kirklees quilts.
TSL provided funding for materials for the Kirklees quilts and the funding enabled the activity to be as inclusive as possible.
One of the local makers, Chrissie Parker from Lindley said, ‘I can’t wait to see them. When you see the amount of work in them it’s quite breathtaking.’
Kate Tunstall from Denby Dale Craft Group said, ‘When I heard about Threads of Survival I thought it would be something our craft group could get behind. Our quilt was an important way of giving people a sense of belonging and means of expression, during the awful lockdown period. We will soon see our work added to that of others around the country in the Textile Biennial exhibition in Lancashire and I’m pleased local people can see it first. It’s a lovely project to support and be part of.’
National campaign group, 999 Call for the NHS, asked people to tell their stories and experiences of the pandemic and the importance of the NHS in their lives via embroidered squares that could then be joined up to make local, regional and national quilts commemorating the people’s experiences. The call was open to anyone, and the finished quilts includes work from both textile artists and first-time stitchers. In total, 22 quilts have been made from groups in West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Lancashire, Manchester, East Anglia, Somerset, County Durham, Surrey, London and Birmingham, and people can still get involved and contribute to the project in a variety of different ways.
Steven Carne, Chair of 999 Call for the NHS is pleased that Kirklees residents will have a chance to see the quilts made locally for the Threads of Survival collection. He says;
“We were delighted when Kirklees Libraries contacted us about hosting the Kirklees element of Threads of Survival. This is very much a project about people, which is what the spirit of a true public service NHS is all about, looking after people regardless of background or status. We want that to remain and not disappear with the current changes taking place. So we were thrilled and excited to have the Kirklees quits included in our exhibition”.
The local quilts have been to the Greenwood Centre in Ravensthorpe, and Cleckheaton and Lindley Libraries. They are currently on display in Holmfirth Library until mid-February. The plan is for all of the quilts to tour in Yorkshire for a full exhibition. Details to follow…
Email info@threadsofsurvival.org for more details.