The biggest art project to come out of the North East will soon be “sailing” into the areas largest Needlework, Quilt and Craft show, Pins & Needles 2010.
The ‘knitted boat’ which was the centrepiece of an exhibition called Casting Off…A Coat For A Boat will be on display at the Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne for three days as part of the annual show on 25th – 27th February 2010.
Covered entirely in knitting, Salma’s Dream is a 21ft coble boat built by members of the North East Maritime Trust, who were commissioned to build a traditional vessel especially for the project. Cobles were traditionally made as working fishing vessels, used from Berwick upon Tweed and
down towards Whitby.
The idea to build the boat was a lifelong dream of Customs House Visual Arts Development Officer Esen Kaya.
Together she worked with Northumberland based lead artist Ingrid Wagner, who brought her expertise in Big Knitting, use of colour and approach to recycling materials to the project. Recycling and experimental knitting played a key role in producing the Coat for the Boat as well as all the many accessories.
The boat was painstakingly covered in knitting, made by a local group of knitters who met each week. It took six months to complete with over 350 people from around the world helping to knit its coat and supporting features.
Customs House Executive Director Ray Spencer added: “The ‘knitted boat’ as it has become affectionately known is a phenomenon unlikely to be repeated anywhere in the country.
Casting Off…A Coat For A Boat! was on show at the Sandford Goudie Gallery, The Customs House Arts Centre throughout the summer period in 2009. In July 2009 she was temporarily taken out of the Gallery to undertake her maiden voyage on the River Tyne. This Boat with Her Coat was ceremoniously launched on the River Tyne and sailed towards the North Sea, reaching an impressive rate of 8 knots per minute! Since then, she has travelled to the Alexandra Palace in London and Harrogate representing the innovative knitting and boat building practices of the North East.
She sails close to the Tyne once more to appear at Pins & Needles 2010. Alison Lough, Director of Initial J Promotions and organisers of Pins & Needles said “We are delighted to be working with the Customs House to bring this unique project to our show to be enjoyed by all our loyal visitors”
[go back]
Keep up to date with events and offers from Initial J by signing up to our free email newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time, and we promise we won't give your details to anyone else. Follow the link at the top of the page to join us. |
