For thousands of years, waterways have connected people long before they divided nations. Oceans, rivers and estuaries have carried migration, trade, conflict, ceremony and stories, allowing cultures to meet, separate and evolve. This exhibition brings together three artists whose practices emerge from different island histories—Iceland, the British Isles, and the Pacific islands of Tonga and Aotearoa, New Zealand—to explore how movement across water shapes identity.
Dates: Friday 11th September - Wednesday 16th September
Private View: Friday 11th September, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Opening Hours: Daily | 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Workshops and Events:
Handkerchief Embroidery Workshop with Radical Embroiderer | Tuesday, 15th September | 2:00 - 4:00 pm
“I will be exploring the crossings people have made across large bodies of water. My great-grandfather travelled by boat from Belfast to New Zealand with his family in 1875. The journey took two months. Boredom on long voyages was relieved by novel sights such as seeing dolphins, albatrosses and whales, playing games and writing letters. The monotony was also relieved by passing ships. People waved handkerchiefs, and letters were sometimes passed to home-bound vessels via small rowing boats, although it has to be said that in the Southern Ocean encounters with other ships were rare. What would you write? Does the way the words are embroidered affect how the words are perceived? In the workshop, we will be embroidering words onto vintage handkerchiefs reflecting experiences, real or imagined.”
All equipment will be provided. Workshop attendees will be able to take their embroidered handkerchief home.
Refreshments will be provided, including a New Zealand "Bumble Bee".
Payment by Donation on the day (£15 recommended)
Booking essential (booking terms TBA)
Radical Embroiderer is an award-winning embroiderer who is interested in the way embroidery can be used to highlight, question and challenge. Any profits she makes from this exhibition and workshop will be donated to the UK Greenpeace and Tongan campaigns against deep-sea mining.
Participating Artists: Iris Thorsteinsdottir | Radical Embroider | Sarah Cocks
Instagram/Website: @iris.thorsteinsdottir | @radicalembroiderer
Entry: Admission is free; tickets are not required.
Accessibility: The exhibition space is fully wheelchair accessible, with step-free entry and wide pathways throughout. An accessible toilet is available on-site. Seating is provided within the exhibition for visitors who may need to rest. We welcome assistance dogs, and staff are available to offer support if needed.
If you have specific access requirements or would like to plan your visit, please contact centrespacegallery@gmail.com — we’re happy to help.
