OFF THE WALL
6 – 14 NOVEMBER 2004
Delta Studios, Larbert, Scotland

Off The Wall was held at Delta Studios, Larbert from 6 - 14 November 2004 and was a marvellous show case of textile arts held in a unique setting in central Scotland. Delta Studios is situated in a business park and comprises nineteen artist’s studios on the ground floor with Scotland’s largest private exhibition space, a beautifully lit, spacious area, above. Holding a major exhibition at Delta Studios served to fill the need for selected textile art to be showcased in a purpose built gallery to stunning effect.

The 150 exhibits that hung in the gallery had been selected worldwide; the majority coming from the UK but some coming from afar afield as Canada, South Africa and New Zealand. The majority of the pieces were quilts but beautiful woven pieces, felted work and embroideries were included. Each piece was powerful in its own right but some seemed to exude pathos even as they were being unwrapped.

The exhibition was supported by a workshop programme giving visitors an opportunity to experience first hand the various textile art forms and to learn from makers such as Alicia Merett, Alison King, Margaret Morrow and Kate Green. Each tutor’s workshop enabled the participant to get the knowledge and the practical experience and make the visual link between the practice, the theory and the finished article that was on display in the gallery.

From the feedback during and after the exhibition ‘Off the Wall’ seems to have achieved what it set to do, that is to create a stunning exhibition within an unusual environment.

Catalogues of the exhibition are still available at £7.50 plus £1.50 P&P (cheques payable to ‘Delta Studios’ and sent to Patricia Archibald, Delta Studios, Lochlands Business Park, Larbert, FK5 3NS). The catalogue contains 19 postcards with images of all the exhibits plus additional information about the exhibition and the ongoing workshop programme at Delta Studios. More information about ‘Off the Wall’ and images of the exhibits can be seen by visiting www.patarchibald.com.

Below are glimpses of a selection of the quilts that were on display.