DESIGN students have illuminated the offices of a Teesside housing group with a light centric textile art display.
The embroidery-based installation, by first year textile students from The Northern School of Art, was exhibited on the top floor of Fabrick Housing Group’s office in Middlehaven, Middlesbrough.
The Northern School of Art textile tutor Lynne Carverhill explained: “The Northern School of Art had discussions with Fabrick with a view to allowing students from across our programme areas including photography, 3D and design crafts, to display their work within the open spaces of the company’s Middlesbrough office.
“Our textile students are the first to exhibit their designs and we have already had some really encouraging feedback from the Fabrick staff.
Inspired by the light and tranquillity of the building the 16 students were tasked with designing individual white embroidered artworks to reflect the peacefulness of the space and make best use of natural light.
Student Chloe Moloney, 17, of Middlesbrough, said: “We took our inspiration from a wide range of sources including nature and the architectural heritage that surrounds the Fabrick building.
“I concentrated on using different transparent materials within my work that would use the light to the best advantage.”
Laura Foster, 17, of Middlesbrough, used laser cut fabrics to fuse together a double layer embroidery hoop with hand and machine stitched flowers.
“The design took about a week to make and I love the way that the light floods into the office space to highlight our work,” she said.
The display is the first of a number of potential art collaborations between The Northern School of Art and Fabrick Housing Group, which is made up of parent company Fabrick and partner organisations Erimus Housing, Tees Valley Housing and Tyneside-based housing support charity Norcare.
Mature student Lisa Price, 44, of Middlesbrough, who based her design on the nearby Transporter Bridge, said: “It’s lovely to be able to see my work displayed on one window and then look out of another directly opposite and see the real thing so close by.
“The Fabrick building offers a great opportunity for us to display our work in such an amazing space.”
The artwork was commissioned by Fabrick director of development and regeneration Martin Hawthorne.
“The embroidery works are thoughtful, delightful and complement our themed office floors,” he said.
“Our staff members were instantly intrigued when they were being installed and we have had a lot of positive responses to the students’ designs.”