Contextual Study – The Bayeux Tapestry
The Bayeux Tapestry is an embroidered cloth measuring nearly 70 metres long and 50 centimetres high. The tapestry depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England, specifically between William, Duke of Normandy and Harold, Earl of Wessex. This is better known as the Battle of Hastings. The piece of art tells the historical event from the point of view of the Normans, although it was discovered to be made in England. It was commissioned by Bishop Odo, William’s half-brother in the 1070’s, just a few years after the Battle of Hastings. The piece begins with a prelude to Harold’s visit to Bosham on his way to Normandy (est.1064) and ends with the flight of Harold’s English forces from Hastings (October 1066).
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bayeux-Tapestry
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayeux_Tapestry
Artist Study – Inge Jacobsen
Inge Jacobsen is an Irish-born artist who is now based in Sussex. Jacobsen attended Kingston University, London, Where she studied photography. She graduated in 2011 and has been working as a professional artist since then. Jacobsen’s work has been exhibited in multiple shows around the world, and has won many awards such as the Director’s choice award at the final Cork Street Exhibition in 2013, as well as being featured on countless websites, blogs and worldwide publications. These publications include mainstream media such as Vogue, Juxtapoz Magazine and FAD. She was also included in a list of the top 20 rising talents by a prominent Danish lifestyle magazine.
https://www.asicentral.com/news/web-exclusive/april-2016/embroidery-artist-qa-inge-jacobsen/
Experimenting with tapestry/embroidery
In our embroidery workshop, we experimented with embroidery with cutting sections of material out and sewing them together. I used two tones of background material that were both neutral, but used a darker thread to contrast this. Since our project is based on identity and community, I cut out sections of a poster from the ‘People Make Jersey’ exhibition, specifically the section that explains the history of my surname.