We are delighted to announce our ‘Woven Into Place’ commission – ‘HUG’, by artists Adrian Riley and Annabel McCourt of Electric Angel
Using words from local residents, and fabric off-cuts donated by local businesses, fencing in Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike and Dewsbury town centres will become a visual embrace displaying the thoughts of local people. The words and patterns created by weaving fabric into fences will be focussed on our collective longing for the togetherness we have sorely missed through the covid pandemic.
Rooting textiles at the heart of community recovery and celebration, this cathartic intervention will acknowledge the collective pain experienced, recognise the resilience displayed… and will ultimately reward Kirklees with an embrace. The Kirklees ‘HUGS’ will become the ultimate textile representation of a unique event in our lifetimes, combining pride, psychogeography and the craving for something as simple and profound as a hug.
There will be opportunities for people to take part in producing large-scale woven work with the artists and to take away an activity pack and have a go on your own fence. Check out the What’s On section for more details.
We’re delighted to welcome Adrian and Annabel to be part of this year’s WOVEN!
About the Artists
Adrian Riley has a track record of over 25 years working in the public realm with artworks across the North of England. His previous commissions have included a building-wide visual poem artwork in Huddersfield, a city centre pedestrian underpass filled with song lyrics in Leeds, and a seafront glass balustrade of found text arranged to tide patterns in Bridlington. His work has resulted in winning the Northern Design Awards (2016) and commended at Leeds Architecture Awards (2013). Annabel McCourt is an international contemporary artist working on commissions in the public realm and exhibiting globally. Her work ranges from public installation art, to moving image and architectural interventions inspired by fact, folklore and legend.
