Research can lead you in unexpected directions...

Wading Birds, 1949, Vancouver Art Gallery

One of the most intriguing aspects of research is its ability to lead you in directions you never thought you would go. With my first year review looming I am surrounded by Graham Sutherland, preparing to submit a detailed thesis excerpt on the tapestries he designed for Dovecot in 1949/1950. The first work, Wading Birds, was causing much consternation as I could find no source material for his choice of subject matter. Was he painting birds? No. Were his contemporaries painting such birds? No. So I headed to the National Library of Scotland, ordered up a book on bird watching in France and listed all of the wading birds to be found in the Cote d'Azur region. I knew that in the years leading up to the designing of the tapestry Sutherland had been spending a significant amount of time in the area, which had led to number of stylistic and compositional changes in his painting, evident in the tapestry design. After a bit of googling I found what I was looking for: the purple heron, undoubtedly the inspiration behind the tapestry design and its palette.

Providing light relief from Sutherland, I have been putting together small pieces of text on a selection of tapestries for Dovecot's forthcoming centenary celebrations in 2012. One of my favourite tapestries is Pause on the Landing (2005) designed by Patrick Caulfield for the British Library and woven by David Cochrane, Douglas Grierson and Naomi Robertson. This enormous tapestry of rich purple, blue and pink hangs on the stairwell of the conference centre at the library and it's subject is taken from Laurence Sterne's 18th century novel The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, a Gentleman. Who would have thought such a book would be the favourite of a renowned Pop Artist? And who would have thought reading such a book would be a necessary element of researching 21st century tapestry?

'Is it not a shame to make two chapters of what passed in going down one pair of stairs? for we are got no further yet than to the first landing, and there are fifteen more steps down to the bottom; and for I aught to know, as my father and my Uncle Toby are talking in a talking humour, there may be as many chapters as steps: - let that be as it will, Sir, I can no more help it than my destiny: - A sudden impulse comes across me – drop the curtain, Shandy – I drop it – Strike line here across the paper Tristram – I strike it - and hey for a new chapter.'

Glasgow University Library Collection

 The title and location of the tapestry refer to Book 4 Chapter 10 of the novel, in which Walter Shandy and Uncle Toby have spent so much time loitering on the stairs, the author has to interrupt and move them on. The abstracted elements of the tapestry design represent the various elements of the story: Tristram's broken nose, the grandfather clock (which played an important part in his conception) and Uncle Toby's military-styled crutch. The humour and irregular nature of the novel is reflected in the two enormous tassels which protrude from the tapestry.

Through my research I have discovered that tapestry can be many things: funny, surreal, a reflection of nature as well as imagination.

London - Ruthin - Madrid (if only!)

It has been some time since I last blogged - not because I have been idle, but because the dreaded 1st Year Review is approaching and I have embedded myself into the world of Graham Sutherland and his designs for Dovecot. I really can't complain about being student as last week saw me continuing my research with a visit to the Graham Sutherland Archives at Tate Britain and the National Art Library at the V&A.

Victoria & Albert Museum

In addition I was in Ruthin for the Tapestry Study Day and the opening of Jilly Edwards' exquisite exhibition of tapestries. I was particularly interested in her intensely personal works which form diaries from journeys she has undertaken. Some of these slim tapestries stretch to metres in length, reflecting her own responses to her surroundings on each step of her travels. The Study Day brought together a very varied group of speakers, all with different interests in connection with tapestry. Fiona Mathison spoke of how the development of her tapestry weaving eventually led to her abandoning the technique and working in different materials, until a return to weaving in the past year. Philip Sanderson, of West Dean, discussed not only the 'artist-designed' projects at West Dean, but also those for which he had created designs. In contrast to many of the designs produced by painters for tapestry, Philip tends to avoid paint, instead developing his designs from photography and the landscape, which are often distorted or altered using digital software. His work was particularly striking next to Jilly's, as the use of paint is essential in her design process.

'Nowhere', designed by Philip Sanderson, woven at West Dean Tapestry Studio, copyright the artist.

Whilst in London I attended the annual Summer Party of the Anglo-Spanish Society, a charity which runs events and schemes to create strong links between Spain and the UK. The party was held at the residence of the Spanish Ambassador in London. The beautiful building contained the very best Spanish art, including a number of tapestries which had been produced at the Real Fabrica de Tapices, Madrid, founded in 1721 by Felipe V. The workshop is still in existence today and collaborates with contemporary artists in a similar way to the French tapestry studio at Gobelins, Paris.

Real Fabrica de Tapis

The more I learn about tapestry the more I realise it is a never-ending journey, a method of production which has relevance not just across borders and continents, but also through centuries and even millenia. Madrid is yet another location on my ever-growing list of tapestry places to visit.