Liz Hutchinson
Artist Maker
Piece Work
A collection of photographs and contemporary jewellery inspired by the history of the textile industry in Calderdale, West Yorkshire. The work considers both the lives of the mill workers and the subsequent decline of the mills, exploring what has survived in stories, remnants and ruins in order to understand and honour that which endures and that which is lost.
'Piece Work' will be exhibited at Dean Clough Gallery, Halifax, West Yorkshire from June 12th - 23rd 2019
'Enders and Menders'
Silver, cotton.
A highly skilled set of mill workers, the elite ‘Enders and Menders’ were responsible for the making good of any tiny imperfections in the final cloth.
'Droughty Day'
Silver, vitreous enamel.
A ‘droughty day’ meant a good drying day, a day to hang out the washing in the back yards and for drying cloth on the Tenters
'Hat Pins for Wakes Week'
Silver, resin, paper
Once a year, the mills shut down for Wakes Week when the workers were allowed a week’s unpaid holiday in which they were free from the noise and daily grind of their lives in the mills. During this week, a mass exodus took place to seaside resorts like Blackpool and Morecambe, as well as weddings and honeymoons. Workers saved all year round for this much anticipated break, a time of freedom, release and rest.
'The Dye Works'
Silver, vitreous enamel, brass, copper.
Inspired by buildings which exist as a remnant of an old dye works…these buildings are characterized by beautiful greens and concertinaed metal doors.
