Tapestry Weaving

The children drew pictures from Viking and Anglo Saxon myths and legends told by story teller Hugh Lupton. Their memories and drawings were very good and included songs and rhymes. These helped me to build up the combined picture.

From their drawings I made working ‘cartoons’ with oil pastel, not detailed or finished drawings as this tends to make the execution of weaving restricted. The drawings are hung behind the loom when working, to provide a guide and reminder for form, scale and colour, the character of tapestry weaving is unique to the technique.

To have produced this in the time allowed and to such a high standard is quite remarkable. I was very ambitious for them at the start of the project, but the children of Costessey Infants School, aged between four and seven years old, have risen to the challenge and made a tapestry they can be proud of for years to come. When the exhibition ‘Footprints’ closed the tapestries were returned and displayed in the school foyer. Pictures to follow
This work was supported by Creative Partnerships and Norwich Castle Museum

Gina Woods. MA Textile and Culture student from Norwich School of Art and Design observed and helped to co-ordinate activities