The theme “Material Dialogues” for the forthcoming exhibition at St Margaret’s Gallery in Norwich was intriguing. I started researching and explored ideas of not just the sensory qualities of a material but also our emotions and relationships with things.  I remembered a scrap book that my sister gave me when I was fifty- not only could I remember the colours and the feel of every outfit, but I could also remember when and where I wore it and why I loved it. (I am a little obsessed with clothes…). I thought about the baby clothes that I have kept that belonged to my sons, the dresses that I wore to their weddings that are still in the wardrobe and how every time I attempt to throw them away, I can’t quite do it.

Around this time, I was at my mum’s house, she was having a clear out and she produced a plastic bag that contained a 19^th Century Christening gown and two baby petticoats. The Christening gown was beautifully embroidered and came from my father’s family. The petticoats had been made for my father by my grandmother. They had been let out at the seams and pintucks unpicked to lengthen it. The petticoats were clearly loved and looking at them, I thought about Dad, my sons and granddaughters. 

I reflected that when we make and engage with materials, our feelings and emotions at the time are also part of the process. Robertapuccilab.com suggests that there are two participants in every dialogue: the material and the person handling it, and this resonated with me.

Using the baby petticoat as a starting point, I reflected on family stories and layers of time. How, as we coo over a baby, it is said to look like their granddad or uncle or when the child shows skill in sport or school, it’s just like their auntie or mum. 

I am trying to capture some of these ideas in the pieces that I am making for the exhibition. I know little about my paternal grandmother, but I have sketchbook and recipe books- even a notebook of shopping lists. I am a great list maker- maybe that comes from her? 

I have made replicas of the baby petticoat and decorated them with photos and drawings from the eldest of each generation to represent the love, memories and everything that we pass on contained within a simple garment.

The final picture is work in progress on the replica inspired by my father. The print and embroidery are based on his sketchbook. 

The exhibition runs from 23rd September – 4th October.