An exhibition celebrating Bolton's rich textile heritage has been weaved together and just needs the stories of the people who were part of it to piece it together.
The ARChive Stories: Pattern, People and Place exhibition has been put together by University of Bolton Professor Donna Claypool on the upper ground floor of the Market Place Shopping Centre.
It explores the significance of the Bolton Museum collection of mid-20th century of mid-century woven furnishings fabrics and designs from the Joseph Johnson collection between 1944 to 1968.
Professor Claypool said: “The collection incorporates an entire company holding of designs and related artefacts not normally collected by museums, due to their perceived aesthetic value as fabrics for the mass market.
“It is very important to me that we are able to engage with the community during the exhibition.
“I would love to hear from anyone with a connection to Joseph Johnson, people who may have worked there or whose parents and grandparents did.
“Even people who had their fabric in the house, it will help to bring the collection to life.”
Joseph Johnson was based at Deane Weaving Sheds, Kirkebrok Road, Deane, part of the Hollas group.
The collection in the museum’s archives was acquired in 1973 and saved from disposal during the industrial decline of that period.
It mainly hosts swatches of woven fabrics within large pattern books, point pattern paper and original design artworks.
During the exhibition, in the studio space at the front of the gallery, new works will be produced in response to one selected pattern box.
This will include influences on practice to the use of archives for past, present and future revision, reproducing and “interrupting” the original patterns.
These stories and “interruptions” will be part of a new exhibition at the Bolton Museum Temporary Gallery in April next year.
ALSO READ: University to 'firmly retain' Bolton in address after 'Greater Manchester' rebrand
ALSO READ: One of Bolton's most famous sons 'truly honoured' to represent his hometown
ALSO READ: Bolton-born journalist and TV presenter will take viewers on a trip of a lifetime
The Hive Gallery is run by the not-for-profit organisation Hive Artists CIC, and its aim is to provide visual art exhibitions for the community.
Hive Artists direct Julie Levy said: “We are delighted to be able to show Donna’s fascinating exhibition and we hope that the Bolton community will come along and enjoy it.”
The exhibition is open now and runs until 21 December on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from noon-5pm.
Anyone interested in sharing their family stories about Joseph Johnson can email Professor Claypool at d.claypool@bolton.ac.uk@bolton.ac.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel