A richly diverse collection of the futuristic and the retrospective: Knitting Nottingham challenged popular perceptions of knitting as cosy and nostalgic; showcasing creative design, art, technology and research across a wide range of knit-inspired work from internationally renowned designers, artists and researchers.
As part of Nottingham Trent University’s 170 Years of Art and Design event series, it celebrated the transformational role played by Nottingham in the growth of the knitting industry and knit technology, and provoked a serious question: how far can we stretch our ideas about knitting?
The message was don’t get comfortable; contrary to what we might think, the relationship between knitting and pushing the boundaries of technology is extremely close.
Stunning garments, 3D prints, performance footwear, knitted conductive textile technology, priceless historical artefacts, a tea set made from electro-plated knit, and working state-of-the-art knitting machinery were just some of the exhibits on show which demonstrated the innovative and challenging nature of knit today.
View a selection of images from the Knitting Nottingham exhibition by visiting the 170 years website.
As part of Nottingham Trent University’s celebration of 170 Years of Art and Design heritage, we supported BBC Radio Nottingham’s Big Poppy Knit in support of the Royal British Legion’s annual Poppy Appeal.
A commemorative poppy specially designed by Sir Paul Smith was on show during the exhibition.
Click here to download the exhibition handout
As part of Nottingham Trent University’s 170th Anniversary of Art and Design, this exhibition showcased a collection of images by acclaimed architectural photographer, Martine Hamilton Knight D.Litt (hon).
The exhibition looked back over the last 20 years in recognition of the innovative and iconic buildings that make up Nottingham’s skyline.
Featuring the work of Hopkins Architects, this exhibition included the stunning Inland Revenue building, Nottingham Trent University’s Newton and Arkwright building and the University of Nottingham’s Jubilee Campus, as well as other Nottingham Trent University buildings.
Venue
Newton Building
Goldsmith Street
Nottingham
NG1 4BU
Delivered by Dance4, Nottdance Festival returned once more with its internationally renowned innovative and entertaining perspective that continues to question ‘What can dance be?
Bonington Gallery was proud to host a number of performances in our Waverley theatre and a photography exhibition A Dance4 Story by David Severn.
This series of photographs were commissioned by Dance4 to take a look behind the scenes and create a visual narrative about the work the organisation does with artists, communities, young people and venues. The project also explored Dance4 in the context of Nottingham and demonstrates its dedication to the city and wider region.
A DANCE4 STORY by DAVID SEVERN (UK)
This series of photographs was commissioned by Dance4 to take a look behind the scenes and create a visual narrative about the work the organisation does with artists, communities, young people and venues. The project also explores Dance4 in the context of Nottingham and demonstrates its dedication to the city and the wider region.
David Severn is a social documentary and fine art photographer, based in Nottingham. His photographs have been exhibited at QUAD (Derby), Light House (Wolverhampton), Guernsey Photography Festival, London Film Museum and Nottingham Castle. Photographs from his project Thanks Maggie (2012) are currently on exhibition at the FORMAT International Photography Festival (Derby). He is a finalist in the Magnum Photos/Ideas Tap award and won Grand Prize at the Nottingham Castle Annual Open last year.
“I have a strong relationship with Dance4 and have been photographing performances for them as a commercial photographer for several years. After knowing the organisation for so long and feeling part of the team, I wanted to make a series of photographs that looked more contemplatively at the great work they do with international artists, young talented dancers and local community groups. My work is typically concerned with the connection between people land place. I’m particularly interested in photographing my home city of Nottingham and the surrounding county, so this project was a way of bringing my own curiosities as a photographer to a commission I could develop over a sustained period of time. It’s been a privilege to once again work closely with Dance4 to make this work and l’d like to extend a warm thanks to the whole team for allowing me such creative freedom.”
David Severn
Discover the life and work of lithographic artist Lawrence Gleadle. See some of his original posters, alongside prints of others, and learn the stories behind them; how they were lost, found and restored, and their importance and place in British cinema history. The exhibition also explores the stories behind Netherfield printing company Stafford & Co. and the printing process of the 1920s and 1930s.,
Lawrence Gleadle was a lithographic artist for Stafford & Co. in the 1920’s and 1930’s; at the time the largest printer of posters in England. After a long apprenticeship and years of experience, Lawrence became ‘The Big Head Man’, the artist who drew the portraits of cinema stars and advertising characters. It was a title given to him by other artists, of which he was very proud, as the ‘Big Head Man’ was regarded as the most skilled of the artists.
He kept samples of his work but left in WW2 and never returned to the trade. The posters were put away and forgotten for many years until given to his son Godfrey (Goff) Gleadle in the early 1980s. At that time, it was very difficult to find out about or reproduce the posters and it wasn’t until 2015 that Goff was able to identify, date them and scan them onto computer files so prints could be made.
Kendal James, a Portsmouth artist, was able to repair and restore damage on the computer files. She and Goff teamed up with the aim of getting Lawrence’s work and talent recognised. Together they have held successful exhibitions in and around Portsmouth where they live, and even had a piece on the BBC One Show.
However, Lawrence was a Nottingham man and it is very much a Nottingham story, so it has always been an ambition to bring his story and his work back to Nottingham. It is particularly fitting to have this exhibition here at Nottingham Trent University, as before Lawrence began his apprenticeship aged 16, he attended the Nottingham Municipal School Of Art. The school later became known as the Nottingham College of Art, which is now part of Nottingham Trent University.
Work by Lawrence Gleadle
Curated by Godfrey Gleadle
In collaboration with Kendal James
Earlier this month, Tom caught up with Experience Nottinghamshire to talk about the Nottingham Art Map; what it is, how it came into being, and why it’s needed in a city like ours.
“Having an Art Map in the city now feels like a matter of course. Over the past 10 years, the independent and institutional art sector has grown exponentially… Nottingham is highly acclaimed as a major contributor to national & international cultural discourse, and it only seems fitting that visitors to the city should be able to engage with all that’s happening in as clear and direct a way possible.”
Read the full feature here, and if you haven’t already, check out the Nottingham Art Map to see what’s on.
You can also pick up your own printed copy from the Nottingham Tourism Centre or from arts venues and cafés across the city.