Knitting Exhibition

The City Gallery, Leicester

Talks and Activities

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Knit 2 Together: Concepts in Knitting

19 July– 10 September 2005

The City Gallery, 90 Granby Street, Leicester LE1 1DJ

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The domestic craft of knitting is back in vogue.  In Knit 2 Together, the Crafts Council taps into this contemporary revival with a snapshot of how contemporary knitting is used as a medium for art practice. With exhibits ranging from knitted sex adverts and subversive toys to giant cobwebs and knitted interiors, Knit 2 Together proves that there is more to knitting than just sticks and string.

Knit 2 Together highlights the work of 15 international artists who are pushing perceived boundaries within knitting, and features a range of innovative and experimental work created with both new and traditional techniques.  By exploring areas of tradition and history, process, skill, materiality, individuality and future technologies, Knit 2 Together celebrates the creative potential and contemporary appeal of this craft tradition.

The visitor will experience work ranging from the lyrical to the eccentric.  Exploring the process involved in knitting, Freddie Robins has developed a wall-based work that focuses on the element of chance whereas Celia Pym’s knitted timeline represents her travels round Japan.  Highlighting the skill of the medium are Ruth Lee’s lacy, ephemeral ‘Spirit dresses’ and Susie McMurray’s 3D hangings that have been French-knitted from human hair.

Freddie Robbins	Celia Pym
Ruth Lee	Susie McMurray

In recognition of the obsessive side of knitting and the current fashion for knitting groups is the collaborative work of Françoise Dupré and the guerrilla knitting of the Cast Off knitting club.  Equally quirky are Donna Wilson’s rebellious creatures and Kelly Jenkins' edgy wall pieces based on adverts and cards from the sex industry. 

Françoise Dupré	Donna Wilson	Kelly Jenkins

The skill of knitting is one that is passed down through generations.  In an interactive area of Knit 2 Together, the Crafts Council will encourage visitors to share their first memories of knitting, enabling them to fully engage with the work on show in this major exhibition.

Knit 2 Together will be opened by artist and co-curator Freddie Robins and Rachael Matthews.  Knit2 Together is the Crafts Council’s first knitting exhibition since 1986 and will tour the UK from July 2005

For more information, please tel: 0116 223 2069