Guest Post by Lynne Curran



September 3, 2008

From time to time I intend to invite a fellow artist to write a guest post. I am very pleased to welcome Lynne Curran as the first in this series. Letter from Italy[left] The Devonshire Hunting Tapestries, Museum no. T 202-1957 Falconry (detail), around 1435. Museum no. T.202-1957. [right] Lynne Curran, The Hidden Heart (detail), 2000. I recognised a long time ago that medieval and coptic tapestries have a lot to teach me, and I am receptive to different aspects each time I revisit my favourite ‘shrines’ to tapestry. No trip to London was complete without the ritual visit (not unlike seeing a favourite relative) to see the room of ‘Devonshire Hunts’ at the V&A (and if it was closed, that left more time to seek out the coptic fragments)[left] Lynne Curran, La Dame aux Belles Plumes (detail), Museum no. T 324-1987. [right] Lynne Curran, Sketch for La Dame aux Belles Plumes.Drawing from memory, and speaking from the heart, makes a stylized drawing and distorted picture-plane.  This suits the medium of tapestry perfectly, and demands curved (coptic style) weft threads, whilst lending itself to the pleasures of contrasting yarns, gradations of tone, combined and hatched colours, alternate and floating wefts.  None of this is new, and in a world where innovation is fashionable, I feel increasingly drawn to the purity and simplicity of this ancient process.[left] Lynne Curran, La Dame aux Belles Plumes (detail of head and shoulders), Museum no. T 324-1987. [right] Coptic tapestry woven panel, date 300 - 400, 22.5 x 22.5 cm. Museum no. 270-1889It is to the Coptic tapestries that I return time and time again to be reminded of what is precious. These and the Medieval pieces, still have an intangible quality that takes my breath away. It is a curious feeling to recognise identical processes and parallel imagery, echoing down the centuries ..... which reminds me, like Penelope, I still have some unpicking to do.Lynne Curran (signature) Images 1. The Devonshire Hunting Tapestries, Falconry (detail) around 1435. Museum no. T 202-1957, 2. Lynne Curran, The Hidden Heart (detail), 2000. Burrell Collection, Glasgow. 3. Lynne Curran, La Dame aux Belles Plumes (detail), Museum no. T 324-1987. 4. Lynne Curran, Sketch for La Dame aux Belles Plumes. 5. Lynne Curran, La Dame aux Belles Plumes (detail of head and shoulders), Museum no. T 324-1987. 6. Coptic tapestry woven panel, 300 – 400, 22.5 x 22.5 cm. Museum no. 270-1889


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