"I'm interested in rhythm, symmetry, patterns that expand and contract. A lot of my work isn't fixed and it might be arranged in another way in a different space. It has a vulnerability in that way, although the finessing is important as well." - Anna Ray. .
As mentioned in my last post it has been a good year for exhibitions of textile art in London. Whereas that post dealt with textiles used in a practical context, this features textiles produced in an art context. It is an issue I've focused on previously earlier in the year (here, and here) and this show continues the trend. The exhibition is set across two sites in the City and features the large, very architectural/sculptural textiles of Anna Ray full of strong shape and vibrant colour. The exhibition takes its title from the hooked nails found on wooden frames used as far back as the 14th C. to dry woollen cloth. The expression "on tenterhooks" is also used to mean being in a state of nervous unease, anxiety or suspense - a state the whole world has been in since the lockdowns due to the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic. Ray actually created many of the artworks installed here during last year's first lockdown. Inspiration came from this particular area of London, famed for its historic associations with the textile industry with streets named after aspects of the industry such as Fashion Street, Tenter Street, and Threadneedle Street. There is also familial connection for Ray as her ancestors were Hugenot refugees, weavers and textile workers who settled in the East end in the 18th century and were employed in the textile industry there. Ray incorporates a variety of textile processes in her art - wrapping, weaving, painting, stitching, staining and sewing, working intuitively, not always knowing what the outcome of a piece will be. The artworks produced are versatile and be be piled on the floor to occupy space like a sculpture (Margate Knot), or adapted to be wall-mounted (Stripe, and Bloom). The works at Aldgate Tower are created from the tufted carpet top samples, gathered from a carpet weaving company. Ray rescued the off-cuts and tangled thread leftovers which she recovered and then reconfigured to create new artworks. These are playful, sculptural, art-textiles with similarities to those of Sheila Hicks also seen very recently here in this blog. Disappointingly, visitors to the Aldgate Tower venue of this exhibition should be advised that not all artworks there are accessible to the general public. Certain artworks remain tantalisingly out of reach behind barriers available only for staff to view due to the security concerns of the building.
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