It’s not often you see a 300 metre Listeria Bacterium made out of fabric curled up on the floor!
But the latest exhibition at Leigh's Turnpike Gallery isn’t for just any old knit wit.
Their UK DIY exhibition explores the resurgence of interest in traditional crafts, such as knitting and crocheting, with a more modern edge.
Fibre activist and creator of the giant Listeria Bacterium, Inga Hamilton, is one of those exhibiting and hoping to inspire a new generation of crafters.
The Civic Square outside the gallery has also been spruced up with knitted ‘tree cosies’ created by Manchester based ArtYarn.
Louise Clennell, Gallery Co-ordinator for Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, said:
“Inga’s work has already created a lot of interest in the exhibition and so have the tree cosies.
“The exhibition explores how a younger generation of crafters have re-claimed traditional skills, such as knitting, crocheting, decoupage and embroidery, and added a tongue-in-cheek edge.
“It’s a fascinating exhibition and we’ve already had a lot of positive feedback from visitors.”
One of the largest pieces in the exhibition is a giant blanket created by Manchester knitters as part of a nationwide Oxfam campaign to raise awareness of maternal mortality rates in poor countries.
Knitters were asked to send in individual squares which were then stitched together to create a giant baby blanket which was handed in at Downing Street.
Louise added:
“This exhibition encourages people to ‘Do-It-Yourself’ and try making something yourself. It’s a celebration of the local, the individual and the handmade.”
The exhibition is accompanied by a programme of workshops for adults and children and continues until Saturday 25 April.
For more information, contact the Turnpike Gallery on 01942 404 469.
