Weaving the Century

Last Saturday we went to Edinburgh for some Fringe action.  The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, according to the wonders of Wikipedia, is the world's largest arts festival. For one month, anything and everything takes over Edinburgh.  After seeing a comedy show, we left the hustle bustle, and went to view Weaving the Century - Tapestry from Dovecot Studios 1912-2012.  The Dovecot studios are a couple of minutes walk from the Royal Mile, and yet during festival time, seem like a world away.  The calm gallery space is currently filled with tapestries woven by the studios during their one hundred year existence.  The works are so varied; traditional, abstract, large, small.  It also features some of the many collaborations with artists, such as David Hockney and Eduardo Paolozzi.  I really enjoyed seeing these tapestries close up, to marvel at 'just how is that done'?  I already have a sampler or two planned, to attempt to try some of the techniques seen.

At the exhibition, I brought The Art of Modern Tapestry, Dovecot Studios since 1912 edited Elizabeth Cumming.  This is quite a fascinating book, giving an insight into the history of the studios and background to a section of the tapestries.  The exhibition is on until 7th October, if you are in Edinburgh, it is well worth a visit.  And as for the fringe, I'm off to experience more this weekend!