exhibitions
NOW AND THEN
Sat 17th May to Sat 29th June
Ten Plus Textile Group
The group was formed in 1991 by ten City and Guild students in the North West, who wanted to work together and promote an appreciation of embroidery in all its forms. Our numbers and techniques have changed over the years, producing fresh and original pieces and we have been lucky enough to have exhibited in some of the most prestigious venues in the region.
This exhibition will be a fascinating display of textile art, exploring marvellous textures, vivid colours, 3D items in fabric, wool, paper and felt from past and present. This, our last exhibition has made us all think of how far we have come since the group formed all those years ago.
A small space
Sat 5th July - Sat 23rd August
‘A Small Space’ is the title for a continued exhibition concept where we find places with spaces that are unconventional or unused, pushing the boundaries of the conventional white cube gallery space with the hope that we reach a wider and broader audience. These have previously been a clothes shop, an architect’s office and an empty shop window, we have shown in Stockport, London, Manchester and Bali. We are a collective of professional practicing artists from around the Greater Manchester area currently with 18 members including founder Jen Orpin who manages the group based on collaboration, shared goals and decision making involving input from all members. The ethos is small, the art and the spaces, thus expanding the potential for selling and exhibiting our work along with making meaningful connections with artists from around the UK.
We will be taking this opportunity to fully utilise the exhibition space at the museum to show some larger scale works.
Threads of nature: from silk to swifts
Fri 23rd May - Sat 19th July
Babbling Vagabonds working with local families
Visit our new installation showcasing the incredible journey of the swift and the impact of humans on their migration and nesting. How are nature and industry woven together? What can we do to protect them? Leave your pledge for nature as part of the installation.
Babbling Vagabonds have worked with local families to produce the installation which has been inspired by THE HERDS and supported by Art Fund. You can see The Herds in July as part of Manchester International Festival.
Find out more about how you can help the local swift population with conservation group ‘Swifts Over Macclesfield’.
A Journey to Wellbeing through Creativity
April 30th - May 31st
Macclesfield College Pathways Art Students
In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, our passionate artists have found solace through the transformative power of creativity. Pathways Students invite visitors into a vibrant tapestry of expression, showcasing their heartfelt artwork – they have turned to their brushes, pencils, and canvases to explore their emotions and foster their wellbeing.
During their art classes the students have discovered that creating art is not just about the end product; it's a therapeutic journey that allows them to navigate their inner landscapes and express their unique identities.
Pathways Art is more than just a collection of artworks; it's an invitation to rediscover the joy of self-expression, ignite your imagination, and embrace the power of art as a means of wellbeing.
Marking time: translating the pattern book archive
fri 4th july - sat 3oth aug
A Stitch & Mixed Media Exhibition by Loose Threads
Loose Threads is made up of four friends from textile / art backgrounds who enjoy researching and developing ideas. We share an enthusiasm for creativity whilst using textiles as our principle means of artistic expression. We regularly produce exhibition work with other groups and have enjoyed the opportunity to study and work with some of the pattern books from the extensive archive.
PROJECT INC - STUDENT INSTALLATION
Installed in the Machine Gallery
In this work made by the students of Pinc College, we have picked out an extravagant piece of machinery from within the museum to create a collaborative artwork with the Silk Museum.
One of our students has photographed the silk loom to which we have printed out on a large scale and divided up into 24 equal squares. The students have been tasked to choose a square to trace and transfer to a tetra pack, where they would etch and carve out the key factors of their chosen image. Some doing more squares than others.
The process we used is called ‘intaglio’. After the etchings were complete, they were then printed onto paper where we would arrange them all back together to create the overall image.
Unfortunately, upon seeing them all together, we realised that the overall image lacked coherency, it wasn’t clear to see how it all lined up. As a solution, we photographed each square and lined them up together digitally using a software called ‘Procreate’, making sure the image was decipherable for all who saw.
We were discussing the best possible ways to present the work when the thought came to mind, given the fact that this was to be presented in the silk museum, why not have it presented on a silk banner?
And so we all picked out a silk we thought was best suited for the final outcome and sent out a request for it to be printed Thus giving us the work you see before you right now.
By Abbie Massey
NEW CHILDRENSWEAR DISPLAY
Open now
A new display at Silk Museum reveals previously unseen garments from the childrenswear collection, which are on display for the first time.
The collection features items such as christening gowns and dresses, which have been donated to the museum over the years for them to care for – conserving clothing from as far back as the Victorian era.
It is part of a project to document and check the condition of the items in the collection and share them with museum visitors. It has been supported by a grant from the AIM and Arts Scholars Charitable Trust Brighter Day scheme.
Around 280 items have been meticulously checked and photographed by curator Emily Lashford, who is also highlighting the way that clothes were repaired and re-used in the past.
The clothing, including Edwardian sailor suits, will be displayed around the Silk Museum amongst the collections. There will be displays amongst the industrial machinery. This follows consultation with the museum’s younger visitors.
Emily held a workshop with children and young people who gave their thoughts about how they like to experience objects in the museum. Popular feedback was about interacting with objects and being able to touch things.
Emily says: “We’re obviously not able to have lots of little hands on silk dresses, but we have taken all this on board and have created a dressing up station and a panel where we display samples of fabrics. We have also got examples from the era such as facsimile copies of a Victorian school book. Hopefully, these will allow children of all ages to be able to engage more with the collections.”
Image:Geoff Findlow with the first ever Macclesfield FC team image.Celebrating 150 years of Football in Macclesfield
A new display in the Silk Museum
We have kicked off football season with a new display relating to Macclesfield’s football history, with a particular focus on Macclesfield Town FC. Many of the items have come from a private collector, Geoff Findlow, alongside relevant objects from the museum’s own collection.
Come and explore the origins of football in Macclesfield, learn about the history and significance of Macclesfield FC as it is known today and what it means to be a fan. Discover more about Macclesfield’s footballing heroes, the development of the women’s game locally, and the connections between football and silk.
The display is being funded through a partnership including Geoff Findlow and his former colleague Rob Bickerton, who was once Chair of Macclesfield Town FC.
What’s on
The Silk Museum hosts a changing programme of exhibitions and workshops all year round. From guided walks around Macclesfield to family activities we run workshops for all abilities and ages.
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