Bradford Textile Society, which was founded in 1895 by Bradford Techinical College staff, remains Britain’s foremost textile society and its annual awards are highly regarded by the industry. In 2012, to celebrate this long association, and to allow students and designers nationally to engage with our collections, it was decided to sponsor an annual award as part of the prestious Bradford Textile Society Awards.
Each year a brief is
set which so that students can design new work inspired on particular samples in the collection. The award carries a purchase prize of £300 plus a day's research in the Textile Archive. The award therefore not only encourages research and promotes the work of textile students and designers, but the aquistion of the winning submission each year will provide useful additions to our constantly growing collections. Entrants are required to design a textile for a furnishing fabric manufactured by any process, inspired by one of twelve samples from the Bradford Textile Archive, which differ each year. They have to consider how the original sample can inform, or be manipulated to inform, their design. The design development, from archive sample to finished design, is then presented on a 2 x A1 card or mount board, with the production details clearly stated. So far, it has been fascinating to see the today's creative talents interacting with textiles from the past. Entries are judged by Clare Lamkin, Culture & Arts Events Manager for Bradford College, and Helen Farrar, Curator of the Textile Archive.
For 2012/13, entrants were asked to take inspiration from these samples
A very high standard of work was submitted, it was decided that the winner of the 2013 award was Michelle Kliman, a student at the Royal College of Art. Michelle created an intricately patterned screen print, basing her design on an original fabric depicting stylized peacocks and plumage from the Society of Dyers and Colourists' Turkey Red Collection. Clare Lamkin, commented, "“Michelle refashioned the original for the twenty first century. She has simplified the design while boldly using black and foil finish to create a very modern furnishing fabric.”
Commendations were also given to Rose Street-Simmons from the University of Huddersfield, Ruth Murray from Manchester Metropolitan University and Christian Eaton, Susan Fountain and Eleanor James from Leeds College of Art.
For 2013/14 entrants were asked to take inspiration from these samples for design inspiration
Helen Farrar, Curator of Bradford College Textile Archive, commented, “It was a an extra special pleasure to see all the entries for the Bradford Textile Archive Award in this year’s Bradford Textile Society Design Competition as our category honoured the centenary of the Great War. All the historic designs put forward to inspire the competitors were designed and woven by Bradford Technical College student between the years 1914-18. First Prize winner Christiana Eaton, student of Leeds College of Art, took inspiration from a figured gauze design by A Williamson, and translated it into a two colour separation printed design on a dyed ckground; the second separation textured to create a very tactile cloth.”
Well done Christiana, we wish you great success in your future career! Congratulations also to students Jennie Hampson, Aimee Simm and Katie Welsh from nearby Leeds College of Art who received commendations.