The Red Dress Project

I’m so thankful that Mr C enjoys driving so much that he agreed to chauffeur me all the way to Oakwell Hall, which is south of Bradford, 290 miles round trip. When I knew we could go today I contacted Blipper EAnnBlair who I knew lived nearby and asked if she fancied joining us. So we had a good catch up with her and Ivan over coffee in the garden of the hall.

It was the last day the Red Dress Project would be shown anywhere within striking distance and I’ve wanted to see it for ages. It’s a project created by Kirstie Macleod and involved 380 artists from 51 countries stitching their personal and cultural stories into 87 silk panels. It’s now sharing these stories globally, documenting resilience, culture and connection. The embroiderers include female refugees from Palestine, Syria and Ukraine, women seeking asylum in UK from Iran, Iraq, Nigeria and Namibia, survivors of war in Kosovo, Bosnia, Rwanda and DR Congo as well as impoverished women from counties as diverse as Japan, Dubai, USA, England and Kenya. Artisans from India and Saudi also took part. It’s recognised at the largest collaborative embroidery project.

It was stunning. There were so many differing styles and messages all part of this fantastic project. If you are interested in reading more Google it. It’s going south for the rest of the year then overseas.