Follow the Thread @ Dovecot

Preview by Katie Rice | 30 Jul 2013

As part of Dovecot's centenary celebrations last year a significant tapestry was commissioned and, after over a year in the making, will be unveiled during Edinburgh Art Festival.

Fleece to Fibre: The Making of the Large Tree Group Tapestry will showcase this major commission and explore the processes behind its production. Inspired by Victoria Crowe's painting, Large Tree Group, the highly unique tapestry has been woven using a pallet of un-dyed wool specifically chosen by Dovecot's weavers and colour-matched to represent the wintry landscape of the painting. Over 70 producers of wool contributed toward the making of the tapestry, from small crofters to larger estates, providing a variety of sheep breeds to give it a truly original quality. Running alongside will be a series of specially commissioned photographic portraits of those involved in the project, in celebration of the entire creative process.

However, this is just one of three exhibitions at Dovecot in Follow the Thread, its summer celebration of weaving and wool. Artist Rugs: Dovecot's Contemporary Rug Collection presents a series of hand-tufted rugs, all of which are for sale and have been created by Dovecot's weavers in collaboration with artists such as John Byrne, Ruth Ewan and Alasdair Gray.

Finally, Dazzle @ Dovecot is returning for its second consecutive year, exhibiting the works of 50 contemporary jewellery designers and silversmiths. In line with the theme of Follow the Thread, this exhibition will also celebrate the use of yarn, textiles and fabric in contemporary jewellery practice.

This trio of exhibitions looks set to be a true celebration of wool, exploring the journey from ewe to yarn and the processes involved in creating pieces that Dovecot has been at the forefront of for the last century.

http://dovecotstudios.com