Haptic & Hue Podcast Summary: "Invisible Hands: Tapestry Weavers and Artists"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Haptic & Hue
• Host: Jo Andrews
• Episode: Invisible Hands: Tapestry Weavers and Artists
• Release Date: March 7, 2024

Introduction

In the episode titled "Invisible Hands: Tapestry Weavers and Artists," host Jo Andrews delves into the often-overlooked relationship between renowned artists and the skilled tapestry weavers who bring their visions to life. The discussion highlights the intricate collaboration that transforms flat artistic concepts into textured, tactile masterpieces and examines why the hands behind these creations frequently remain anonymous.

The Picasso Tapestries at Kaikut

Jo Andrews begins by recounting her unforgettable visit to Kaikut, a grand Beaux Arts villa built by the Rockefeller family. Here, she witnessed an impressive collection of woven tapestries depicting Pablo Picasso's work, which seamlessly blended Picasso's artistic genius with the weavers' craftsmanship.

• Jo Andrews (00:00): "I remember nothing about the conference, but at some stage I was asked if I would like to see the grand House on the hill and its art... [These tapestries] were true masterpieces."

Katrina London, curator of collections at Kaikut, elaborates on the visitors' awe upon encountering these large-scale tapestries, often unacquainted with tapestry techniques but mesmerized by their quality and vibrancy.

• Katrina London (02:51): "Visitors... see Picasso's work... but they see that this is something different... they're usually amazed by them."

Nelson Rockefeller's Role and Jacqueline de la Bohomme Durbac

The tapestries at Kaikut are a testament to Nelson Rockefeller's profound admiration for Picasso. He commissioned or acquired 19 woven tapestries that served as a retrospective of Picasso's illustrious career.

• Jo Andrews (05:11): "Nelson Rockefeller... commissioned or acquired 19 woven tapestries of Picasso's work as a sort of retrospective of his career."

The creation of these masterpieces was a collaborative effort with Jacqueline de la Bohomme Durbac, a master tapestry weaver. Over two decades, Jacqueline meticulously translated Picasso's paintings into woven forms, ensuring each piece retained the essence and vibrancy of the originals.

• Jo Andrews (09:58): "Jacqueline de la Bohomme Durbac... collaborated with Picasso on color choices and he always approved the cartoons."

Despite her significant role, Jacqueline's contributions remained largely overshadowed by Picasso's fame. However, recent scholarship and museum practices are beginning to shed light on the indispensable role of weavers like Jacqueline.

• Jo Andrews (13:04): "Weavers really get their credit for being the maker and the one who translated them into the tapestry medium."

Modern Tapestry Weaving: The Dovecot Studios

Transitioning to contemporary practices, the podcast introduces Naomi Robertson, head of studio at Dovecot Weavers in Edinburgh. Dovecot represents a modern tapestry studio where a team of weavers collaborates closely to interpret and transform artists' works into tapestries.

• Naomi Robertson (16:07): "I see myself as a weaver, a craftsperson and an artist... it's a really creative process."

Naomi emphasizes the blend of artistry and craftsmanship required to adapt paintings into woven forms, highlighting the unique interaction between color, texture, and structure inherent in tapestries.

• Naomi Robertson (17:30): "By translating it into wool and yarn, it has a different quality... the wool absorbs the light and almost resonates."

Collaborations with Contemporary Artists

The episode spotlights a collaboration between Sekai Machache, a young Zimbabwean-Scottish artist, and Ben Heimers, a weaver at Dovecot. Together, they created "Lively Blue," a tapestry inspired by Machache's abstract ink drawings and her research into the history of indigo.

• Sekai Machache (29:10): "To see it turned into something completely different... just exciting."
• Ben Heimers (31:21): "It's like translating something into another language... turning anything into the language of tapestry."

Machache acknowledges Ben's pivotal role, viewing him as a co-creator rather than merely a translator of her designs.

• Sekai Machache (32:45): "I think that Ben is the artist of this tapestry... it's important to credit people."

The Art vs. Craft Debate and Collective Recognition

Celia Joyce, director of Dovecot Studios, addresses the longstanding debate distinguishing art from craft. She advocates for recognizing tapestry weaving as a high form of art, emphasizing the collective effort behind each piece.

• Celia Joyce (24:21): "We see tapestry as the embodiment of how, as a team, you can create something that's beautiful."
• Celia Joyce (25:17): "It's important to record the individuals... but it's also about the collective act."

Celia highlights the challenges in gaining individual recognition within collective projects, especially in a society that often lionizes the "hero artist."

Conclusion: Recognizing the "Invisible Hands"

The episode underscores the vital yet often invisible role of tapestry weavers in the art world. By transforming artists' visions into woven representations, these skilled craftsmen and women add depth, texture, and longevity to artistic expressions. As appreciation for their contributions grows, the hope is that the tapestry of art will increasingly acknowledge and celebrate the "invisible hands" that play an essential role in its creation.

• Sekai Machache (33:37): "It's important to credit people... I wouldn't want to forget the people who made the work."

Final Thoughts

"Invisible Hands: Tapestry Weavers and Artists" offers a comprehensive exploration of the symbiotic relationship between artists and weavers. It highlights the necessity of recognizing the collaborative nature of tapestry creation and calls for a broader appreciation of the craftsmanship that underpins some of the world's most cherished artworks.

For more insights and visuals of the discussed tapestries, visit www.hapticandhue.com.