Over 70 pieces of Textile Art make up this inspiring collection of textile work by individual artists around the world. The quality and creative energy of each piece is incredible, often very moving both visually and by the words that accompany each piece.

The idea of the Covid Chronicle came to London based artist Wendy Bliss in February 2021. Lockdown sapped her creative energy (temporarily), and she decided to use her time instead to create a ‘separately-and-together’ community based Art installation to mark this 21st century worldwide pandemic.

 

Instagram and Facebook came into their own, enabling her to reach textile artists worldwide with a cause, a template, and the assurance of a touring exhibition. Work very soon started to come in, and at a recent count there are 135 panels from over 15 countries. 

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The project is designed to stimulate thought and discussion, from the makers and viewers when on show to the public. Sewing friends were enlisted to stitch the panels together, to make coherent blocks of four, which it is anticipated will sell by silent auction during a planned tour, with the aim to raise money for the mental health charity, MIND. The artists were asked to write about their work to accompany each piece.

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Wendy reached out to galleries and museums around the country, approaching the Sunbury Gallery in the early stages. We are delighted to be a part of this incredible journey and pleased to be able to share the spirit that has inspired the creation of this moving body of work.

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Diana Springall, whose collection will form an integral part of the new development at the Sunbury Embroidery Gallery, was approached and generously agreed to contribute a piece to this extraordinary collection.

Diana is a revered creative textile embroiderer and practitioner who remains singularly unambitious about her own success. Through the decades she has extended her time, energy and invaluable knowledge to encouraging others while acquiring an extensive collection purchased from makers, often at a pivotal stage in their career. The sharing of this passion for contemporary embroidery remains Diana’s goal throughout.

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This exhibition epitomises how the creative process of embroidery can bring communities together and reflect a sense of well being.

The travelling exhibition tour dates are:

• C&W NHS Trust (7th-18th Mar);

• ChippenhamMuseum (9th Apr-6th May);

• Lightbox Gallery, Woking (10th May - 20th Jun);

• Williamson Art Gallery & Museum,

• Birkenhead (23rd Jun - 30th Jul);

• Merton Priory Chapter House (Aug – Sep - dates TBC);

• The Spode Museum, Stoke-on-Trent (30th Sep – 29th Oct)

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