The Handkerchief Project
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In an attempt to change the context of handkerchiefs I am working with Amsterdam based artists to produce a series of modern cotton handkerchiefs.
My name is Ailsa and after starting to use cotton handkerchiefs I realised how little I knew about them and that not many young people use them. So I set out to change people's perceptions of cotton handkerchiefs by producing a series designed by Amsterdam based artists.
21/03/2022
This one off handkerchief was an experiment attempting to immortalise a childhood memory I have of visiting my Dutch grandparents.
They had a Persian rug draped over the round dining table which eccoes something seen in Dutch masters paintings. Apparently the rugs were too beautiful to be walked on and should be admired closely on a table.
I always remember the unpleasantly rough and tickly feeling of laying my arms on the table. Thankfully when eating, a white tablecloth was laid over the carpet to keep it clean.
The round wooden board with a slice of bread and a perfectly fitting slice of cheese then cut into bitesized squares with cutlery is another specific memory I have of visiting elderly relatives in The Netherlands.
I still have this rug and treasure it greatly (although I admire it on the floor ;) ), it is worn at opposite sides, where my grandparents sat at each side of the table.
14/12/2021
Just back from an inspirational trip to see drawings of handkerchief designs by Margaret MacDonald Mackintosh (Charles Rennie Mackintosh's wife) and her sister Frances MacDonald MacNair.
The circular one was designed in the 1890s and the others between 1915 and 1922. No one knows if they were ever produced... I think this may become a wonderful rabbit hole to go down!
On my way to the appointment my glasses fell out of my jacket pocket and later I found them very scratched on the street by a bin on Sauchiehall 🤦
25/03/2021
I'm working on making a big colourful poster as an ode to, and a celebration of the beauty and diversity of handkerchiefs!
12/02/2020
Here are some lovely images of the Indonesia exhibition taken by the talent of Charlotte Kropholler Photography
Work of textile experiments with batik from Java, ikat from Bali and parompa weaving from Sumatra, alongside photography and recorded sounds.
You can listen to the soundscape here: https://soundcloud.com/ailsak/indonesia-exhibition-soundscape
12/02/2020
Work of textile experiments with batik from Java, ikat from Bali and parompa weaving from Sumatra, alongside photography and recorded sounds.
You can listen to the soundscape here: https://soundcloud.com/ailsak/indonesia-exhibition-soundscape
