Exile Textile
The first of three hand stitched ‘Exile Textiles’ made from things found around my parents’ house, where I unexpectedly found myself living for eighteen months during the pandemic. Mam had been diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer, and it turned out to be the final year of her life. Recording my time there, the world outside and in, as I nursed her. The third piece (The Prequel), which depicts events before Covid, was completed after my mother's death.
Alison Aye
London, England
Exile Textile, Phil ShellyThe first of my 'Exile Textiles', hand stitched collage made from discarded materials, recording Covid.
I can't breathe, hand stitch detail, Phil ShellyAs said by George Floyd as he fought for his life in 2020. Made from my son's outgrown charity shop t-shirt and my dad's handkerchief.
Where have all the flours gone? Mam's third chemo, hand stitch detail., Phil ShellyAs said by the lockdown bread makers, when they were faced with empty supermarket shelves. Word play with the Pete Seeger song. Made from my sister's unrepairable Dorothy Perkins' trousers and her Eden Escape Festival tote bag. The tartan 3, in reference to Mam's third chemo, is made from our family wash bag (I'm 92% certain I had it with me in Sunderland General, when I had my tonsils done in 1974) and Mam's duster.
Clap for the career girl, key workers, hand stitch detail, Phil ShellyIn reference to me being a carer, and the country clapping every Thursday, and when the workers who had previously been called 'low skilled' became 'key'. Made from a wash bag, jay cloth and Mam's duster.
Stay home but gan oot, hand stitch detail, Phil ShellyIn reference to government lockdown advice. Made from my sister's trousers and Mam's duster.