The Dangers of Sewing and Knitting, an exhibition of pieces by textile artist Deirdre Nelson, inspired by her research into the absurd and quirky in textile history, has opened at the Collins Gallery in Glasgow.

Deirdre has created a collection of new objects with underlying stories which explore the hidden hazards of textile craft, a venture usually thought of as safe and passive.  Her knitted wedding shoe was a response to the tale of a knitter in Lerwick in the 1920s who took her work to a hosiery shop to barter for a wedding outfit.  Unfortunately he only had clothes and no shoes, and refused to let her have cash so she could buy her shoes elsewhere. 

Find out more in our craftscotland review of the exhibition.

As well as this intriguing exhibition, Deirdre has just completed ‘waking and watching’, a site specific textile installation at Culross Palace which is influenced by the practice of deliberately concealed clothing and the fact that Culross was known for the execution of witches.

Deirdre researched the superstitions around witchcraft and the names of witches who had been executed and for one of her pieces decided to embroider the names onto a bed sheet, an acknowledgement of the way witches were tortured through sleep deprivation.  She combined this with a bolster pillow filled with lavender, which is associated with sleep, and which creates an atmospheric scent in the room.  

For more information about the installation read our craftscotland feature. 

The Dangers of Sewing and Knitting is on from 9 April to 21 May 2005 at the Collins Gallery, University of Strathclyde, 22 Richmond St, Glasgow tel: 0141-548 2558.  Opening hours Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm and Saturday 12 noon until 4pm.  A full colour catalogue has been produced to accompany the exhibition which is a collaboration between the Crawford Arts Centre, St Andrews and the Collins Gallery, University of Strathclyde.

Deirdre will be discussing the exhibition and a collaborative project currently being explored, which is inspired by the Whitework of Scotland and Asia, in a conversation with Dr Juliette MacDonald in the Collins Gallery on Thursday 28 April 2005.    The talk is taking place between 12 noon and 3pm, or from 1.30pm without lunch.  Further details can be downloaded from the Opportunities section.  To book a place contact the Collins Gallery directly on 0141 548 2558.  Tickets:  £8.00 (full price) £7 (concession) with lunch £7.00 or  £3.00 (full price) £2 (concession) without lunch.

‘waking and watching’ can be seen in Culross Palace, Culross, Fife KY12 8JH from 3 April to 30 September 2005.  Culross Palace, Study, Town House, shop and tearoom is open daily from 12 to 5pm with last entry 4.30pm.  The garden is open all year daily from 10am to 6pm or sunset if earlier.  Entry costs £5 for adults, concessions £3.75, children £1 and family £13.50.