PATTERN the exhibition

PATTERN will introduce visitors to the silk pattern books. The exhibition will also look at the conservation work happening at the museum led by Mark Furness, a senior conservator, who works with John Rylands Research Institute and Library, part of the University of Manchester.

Mark has been working to assess the collection of pattern books for any damage. This involved looking at hundreds of books checking for issues such as red rot, which is caused by external pollution affecting the leather covers creating a red dust.

Mark is also weighing the books as they are large and heavy, with some weighing in at 16 kilos. This is all important as when the books are on display or in store, the studio need to be able to take the weight of this collection.

Visitors will be able to take part in a series of special events to accompany the exhibition including a series of artist-led workshops, providing opportunities to use the original blocks used to create patterns on textiles.  Should the conservation work interest you, Mark is giving a talk about his work on Saturday 22nd February.

A special pattern tour of Paradise Mill led by the designers and weavers in residence, Bea Uprichard and Ruth Farris, is also taking place on Saturday February 15th.

Dr Philip Sykas from Manchester Metropolitan University and the author of The Secret Life of Textiles: Six Pattern Book Archives in Northwest England, will lead a talk about the collection that came from Langley Print Works Archive on Wednesday February 19th.