Weaving the Fabric of Guernsey
12 Guernsey stories
12 paintings
12 traditional guernseys
12 embroidered elements
12 unique garments
The culmination of a project months in the making, ‘The Fabric of Guernsey’ is a collaboration of creatives with a shared passion for our island heritage, coming together to celebrate the guernsey jumper.
The unique exhibition sees Le Tricoteur and Art for Guernsey join forces with artist Sally Ede-Golightly to explore the local and international history and stories of the guernsey through a series of artworks and bespoke garments.
Unravelling the stories
Over the course of many months, Sally spent time researching & unearthing stories of the guernsey jumper, its history within the island and further afield all whilst weaving in the history of Le Tricoteur and consulting our archives. Sally’s work depicts the rich and often unique tales that make this garment so important to Guernsey’s heritage in 12 beautiful oil paintings.
From ‘The Pattern’ and ‘The Machine’ to ‘The Admiral de Sausmarez’ and the ‘Cresta Run,’ Sally has intelligently captured the vast research that was poured into this project resulting in a stunning set that is now available to view at the Art for Guernsey gallery.
All in the detail
Each painting has been accompanied by a traditional Le Tricoteur guernsey with a bespoke stitched detail on the sleeve. Miniature details were taken from the painting itself, and highlights hand embroidered - linking the two elements and providing the purchaser of the painting with a very limited, special edition guernsey. The embroideries were hand stitched by a UK manufacturer of military uniform accessories, with incredible attention to detail.
Opening night
The Fabric of Guernsey exhibition has been a true passion project for all involved. In 2024, the 60th year of Le Tricoteur, it has been a perfect opportunity to celebrate the humble guernsey.
At a successful opening night on 12th November, the enthusiasm for the guernsey was plain to see (literally!) with a vast array of guernseys worn by guests in attendance! It felt like a true celebration of a local icon, and we couldn’t have been prouder.
The exhibition is open to the public from 13th November 2024 and will run until January. The framed original paintings are to be sold with the accompanying unique, embroidered guernsey. In addition there is also the opportunity to purchase a limited edition print which comes with its special matching guernsey.
