Liz Bowen

The hanging that I have made has vertical threads running through it, the first 4 threads represent Selina North, Dorothy Waugh, Irene Clarke and Marianne Straub.The threads gradually become more numerous as the students of Bradford Technical College (later Bradford College) have became more diverse over time.

I made the hanging using Falklands Merino fibre which I hand spun on a drop spindle and wove using a rigid heddle loom. I used plain weave as I wanted an uncluttered background for the coloured vertical threads.

I dyed some of the spun and plied yarn using natural dyes. This is only the second time I have dyed yarn and the first time I have used alum as a mordant

Materials

Handspun falklands merino wool. Natural dyes.

Inspiration

My inspiration comes from the first 4 women to become students in the Department of Textile Industries at Bradford Technical College.

The first woman was called Selina Kate North, she was awarded the City and Guilds Institute of London qualification in 1897.

In 1921 Dorothy Leonora Waugh followed in Selina’s footsteps .

Irene Clarke was the next female student in the department she was awarded the Certificate in Colour and Design in 1929 and the Certificate in Cloth Manufacture in 1930.

In 1932 Marianne Straub came from Switzerland to study in the department. During her year of study she was tutored in textile maths, weaving technology, raw materials and cloth construction. Marianne applied for a place at Bradford Technical College because at the time there were no Swiss institutions accepting women students. In fact the reply to her application was addressed to Mr Straub as the assumption was that she would be a man. She went on to be a successful commercial designer creating upholstery designs for London Transport .

Back: Loops and Chains Next: Imagine