Art in the Community presents “Pull Together – Pull Through”, an exhibition in four parts that will be on display in the District Hall Glass cabinets.
- Scrolls: October 20, 2022 – January 17, 2023
- Pojagi: January 19, 2023 – April 18, 2023
- Boro: April 19, 2023 – July 18, 2023
- Colour: July 20, 2023 – October 17, 2023
In March of 2020, members of the North Shore Needle Arts Guild were locked down along with the rest of the province. The result was the cancellation of their in-person meetings and the abrupt absence of the sharing environment they previously had enjoyed.
Their members are diverse in their knowledge base, professional backgrounds and needlework techniques but not as skilled with the technology required to be able to meet virtually. Through the sharing by those members with technical knowledge, all members learned how to meet via Zoom. This technology allowed for the continuation of learning, inspiring each other and sharing the love of the art form that had brought them together in the first place.
As the pandemic continued to isolate the most vulnerable, North Shore Needle Arts Guild pulled together and pulled through, exploring and sharing their ideas on 4 different subjects over the course of 2 years.
This exhibition shows the results of one of those subjects – Boro: From the Japanese boroboro, meaning something tattered or repaired. Boro refers to the practice of reworking and repairing textiles (often clothes or bedding) through piecing, patching, and stitching, in order to extend their use. Worn areas of cloth are patched or older garments cut up and joined using running stitches. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, boro garments might be handed down through many generations of impoverished rural families, conveying a sense of regret concerning waste. Members were challenged to honour this tradition and spirit of thrift to create their pieces of artwork.
“Pull Together- Pull Through” is made up of 4 exhibitions each spanning 4 months. Each rendition of the theme will have its own sub-theme, the third part of this exhibition, “Boro” will be displayed in April 2023.
