See this: Entangled, Threads & Making

Over the last couple of years you may have read about how British coastal towns are enjoying a revival and in particular how Margate is the new Shoreditch!!

Anyone who has visited Margate will know this isn’t true (thank God) as a theme park, gallery, vintage shops and an Arts Club, do not make it Shoreditch or even Dalston, and the only people who want it to be the new hipster destination are the mainstream media, desperate for a strapline and a story!

Margate is still a traditional seaside destination complete with amusement arcades, a sad High Street (due to a huge out-of-town shopping park) and more than its fair share of very real poverty. But it also has beautiful, often run down buildings, stunning beaches and a really interesting arts scene. Yes, Thanet may be UKip’s heartland but the positive energy, inclusive and friendly community and sense that anything is possible, is attracting creatives from London and beyond, who are helping to turn a once downtrodden town into a creative hub. This isn’t about house prices (although affordable housing helps) but about a group of like minded people coming together to make art, start small businesses and get involved in the local community.

The Turner Contemporary Gallery  is situated on the seafront, on the same site where Turner stayed when visiting the town, and has contributed to the towns burgeoning art scene.  It has a great programme of exhibitions and events and is well worth a visit.

Entangled: Threads & Making is currently showing until May. Featuring sculpture, installation, tapestry, textiles and jewellery from the early 20th century to the present day, the work from over 40 international female artists looks at the possibilities of embroidery, weaving, sewing and wood carving, using unexpected materials such as plants, clothing, hair and bird quills.

Curated by writer and critic Karen Wright, who was inspired by the making processes she saw first-hand on the many studio visits she did with artists for her ‘In the Studio’ column for the Independent, the exhibition brings together artists from different generations and cultures who challenge the idea of craft, and share a fascination with all things handmade.

If you are a textile lover and interested in all thing handmade, it is well worth the trip. Margate is just 90 minutes from London on a high speed train from St Pancras and there are lots of other things to do while you are there.

As I have recently become the proud owner of a tiny bungalow in Cliftonville,  look out for more insights into the town over the next few months and maybe even a visual diary of our house conversion!

 

 

 

3 Comments

  • Yvonne says:

    Have wanted to go to Margate since I saw Turner the movie. Hopefully next time I have a trip to London. I was in London in February and so fortunate to see so many wonderful exhibitions. The Tate Modern is an outstanding building and my favourite art space. I loved the coats in the above exhibition as they are wearable but wondered why the artist did not match the pattern.

  • jane says:

    Love Margate, partner not convinced so very much looking forward to your bungalow reveal and maybe i can change his mind.

  • Jane says:

    Watch this space Jane x

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