Painted Pigeons & Lady’s Tresses, 2019, commissioned by Deco Publique for Vintage by the Sea.
Painted Pigeons and Lady's Tresses is a collection of 8 embroidered patches for Morecambe. Inspired by the social and environmental history of Morecambe Bay, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, I researched the natural world, the way local communities protect their town, and the long history of entertainment, when Morecambe was a popular holiday destination for northern workers.
Each patch was inspired by a different element of Morecambe. I exchanged a patch for a postcard, on the back of which someone would share their memory or story of Morecambe.
Inspired by:
the Arnside tidal bore
a plea to local people, particularly dog owners to try not to disturb the vast numbers of birds - waders through to common gulls - with roosts on the beach
the local beach clean campaign, Love My Beach
Wakes Week (when factories would shut in the summer for holidays, with workers coming from northern cities to the coast
Painted Pigeons - 1930s Winter Gardens act
the rare orchid ‘Autumn Lady’s Tresses’
Betty Jackson with her monkeys and dogs, a 1930s Winter Gardens performer.