Gawthorpe Hall hosts new artist tour for special 50th anniversary

The artist Serena Partridge will give a free walk-and-talk tour of her new exhibition titled Luminary on Sunday, September 10th at 12.30pm, 2pm, and 3.30pm, featuring a series of embroidered installations inspired by Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth and the textile collection she created.

Serena Partridge, based at Crescent Arts in Scarborough, is known for her small and exquisitely stitched work that evokes a story, and for Luminary she explored creating work on a larger scale, integrating her embroidered interventions into rooms around Gawthorpe Hall.

Serena said: “The pieces I have created are inspired by motifs and techniques found in the textile collection, including items made by Miss Rachel herself. My pieces reflect on different stages of Miss Rachel’s life and draw on experiences that left a lasting impact on her and her work.”

Jenny Waterson, Learning Curator at Gawthorpe Textiles Collection, said: “Miss Rachel wanted to keep traditional craft skills alive and used her collection ‘to show people how’. We are delighted that Serena is incorporating this ethos in to her commission and that work made with local schools and textile groups has contributed to the finished commission.”

Timandra Nichols, director at Arts&Heritage added: “Serena’s work will help tell Miss Rachel’s story through an art form she dedicated her life to. Visitors to Gawthorpe Textiles Collection will develop a better understanding of the collection and its founder through the new artworks.”

Luminary has been available since August 2nd and will be on display at Gawthorpe Textiles Collection until November, 5th 2017.

Care, a display in the Huntroyde Bedroom representing Miss Rachel's her role as caretaker, and Guide, a display in the Long Gallery inspired by Miss Rachel’s long involvement with the Girl Guide Movement and embroidered by the Guides and Brownies in NE Lancashire, will be on display from September 7th.

Finally, Play, a display in the Drawing Room informed by Miss Rachel’s determination not to learn to play the piano will go on display from 23rd September. The Luminary sessions last around 50 minutes and are suitable for adults and children aged 10 and over. With ten places available on each tour, bookings can be made at www.gawthorpetextiles.org.uk/events.