When Out of the Fold selected the theme of ‘Reflections’ for our 2025 exhibition I spent some time thinking about how I might interpret the subject. Literature, art and musical themes were considered; as well as self reflection, introspection and even Plato’s cave. However it was the poem by Tennyson “The Lady of Shalott” which fired my imagination with the tragic tale of the lady cursed and trapped in a tower, only able to view the world through a mirror and passing her time weaving. She is content; but when the beautiful Sir Lancelot rides by she is tempted to gaze upon him, and all is lost.
Out flew the web and floated wide;
The mirror crack’d from side to side;
“The curse has come upon me” cried
The Lady of Shalott
The choice of materials for “The Mirror Crack’d” was key to the whole work. Reflective shiny fabrics, glitzy sheers, metallic silk, and laminated plastics were all selected to suggest the mirror. Words from the poem were made into fabric using paper lamination. A cool colour palette of blues, greys and purples, with a hint of silver.
“The Mirror Crack’d” will be exhibited as part of the Out of the Fold ‘Reflections’ series at the Guildhall, Bury St Edmunds from 23rd – 28th Sept 2025
