Transform and Escape the Dogs
Curator
Lead artists Jamie Holman’s commission for the British Textile Biennial begins in the archives of The Harris Museum, Preston and Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery; and ends in a web of social history, and reflection on a human desire to transform.
Investigating the ‘Politics of Cloth’ his research uncovered hand painted, rich silk, trade union banners paraded by Britain’s workers, leading him to commemorations of mass gatherings, and the social, spiritual, cultural and political transformations they generated.
A year of research saw the exploration of intertwined, underground working class stories that hide in plain sight; leading to the creation of art works that commemorate rather than celebrate these moments of unexpected culture and creativity.
This exhibition was installed in a temporary exhibition space in the centre of the industrial town of Blackburn for the month long Biennial programme and garnered significant national press across the Biennial, whilst inspiring an ongoing programme of participatory work.
Book-ended by two eras; the industrial boom of the 18th Century: Blackburn’s cotton Industry and the era of decline two centuries later, which provided an opportunity for a new counter culture to occupy these empty spaces for illegally sited parties known as ‘Raves.’
Like the stories found in them, these artworks are a result of shared experiences and collaborative working.
Artist Jamie Holman and producer Alex Zawadzki work closely together to realise artistic commissions, produce art works and deliver creative projects from research to conclusion through their studio practice Uncultured Creatives.
