Spin Events
Dovecot Studios Visit
(c) Courtesy of Shannon Tofts
Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh
25 March 2009, 5.45-7.30pm
We have a special Spin evening this month with a visit to Dovecot Studios where we will be joined by artist Claire Barclay whose work we discussed at last month’s event at the Fruitmarket Gallery. Claire is one of many contemporary artists who have been invited to collaborate with the master weavers at Dovecot Studios. We will also be joined by David Weir, Director of Dovecot who will tell us more about the Studios and this exciting commission.
Dovecot Studios is home to Edinburgh’s innovative tapestry company. Established in 1912 by the 4th Marquess of Bute, Dovecot Studios’ founding weavers came from William Morris’ Merton Abby Workshops in Wimbledon, London. The studios were incorporated as The Edinburgh Tapestry Company in 1946, although they also continued to be known as Dovecot. Since its inception, the weavers have worked creatively with artists such as Frank Stella, Stanley Spencer, Frank Brangwyn, Henry Moore, Graham Sutherland, David Hockney, Eduardo Paolozzi, Alan Davie and more recently Barbara Rae and Elizabeth Blackadder, producing stunning tapestries for private commission and for public collections worldwide.
In August 2008, after an £8million refurbishment, Dovecot Studios moved to its new home in the former Victorian swimming baths on Infirmary Street. The main workshop reuses the main swimming pool area and the public viewing gallery retains the integrity of the original space. The weavers work regularly with artists, fashion designers and photographers to create new work in tapestry. The commission with Claire Barclay is particularly interesting due to Claire’s interest in process and making.