Woven in the Bone
“In a world of mass production and homogenized culture there are those who appreciate craftsmanship, provenance and individuality.”
Cloth has held meaning for humans since the beginnings of civilisation. Scottish textiles have a tradition of connecting people to a place, or other people through the use of colour and pattern. Rare indeed is a product which can provide for the basic human needs of warmth, comfort and protection and yet give so much more.
Weaving woollen cloth has been an essential and integral part of life in Scotland for centuries. At the start of the 17th century almost all production of woollen cloth in Scotland was for domestic use and was woven by hand. By the 18th century British inventions and engineering flourished and the resulting impact on textile manufacturing was at the heart of the Industrial Revolution. While pockets of mechanized production developed in the Highlands and north east of Scotland, thousands flocked to the newly established mass production mills in the lowlands.
The Hattersley Domestic loom on which Sam weaves was manufactured in the late 19th century, designed to ensure that pockets of production could continue in remote rural settings, allowing individuals and communities to produce commercial cloth and remain on the land. Weaving on these semi-automated foot-treadle looms requires two feet, alert senses and an awful lot of patience. Sam’s heartfelt connection to the wool and her love of the Scottish landscapes are self evident in her work, inspired by natural, industrial, urban and contemporary environments that connect her to the cloth she makes. Her beautiful work is found in the collections of Saville Row tailors and luxury labels who recognise the value and craftsmanship of her endeavour.
