Lymington Boat Builders

I am delighted to have been invited by St Barbe Museum and Gallery to make a new body of work for a solo exhibition in the spring. (New Dates 15 jan - 26 Feb 2022).

I will be making a series of portraits documenting Boat Builders and their Apprentices working for Berthon in Lymington – highlighting the Value of Making and the importance of skilled labour. A celebration of the often maligned (in our increasingly narrow education system) the non-academic student.

 ‘..there are things Emily is able to articulate through the physically invested work of stitching…. that might elude both writers and photographers’. Katie Treggiden 2018

This is a very interesting idea to me, the magic bit, somehow by taking the time to slowly describe someone in stich you convey your admiration. Celebrating people who make things by the investment of time in making the work, a quiet, thoughtful act of care and value.

Last week I visited Berthon Boat Yard. Talking to the individuals I was interested to learn the paths that have led them to be Boat Builders the jobs that they do within the Boatyard and the tools and materials that they use. I was really interested to learn about the use of textiles and stitch in the boat building industry and any gender divide. I enjoy the juxtaposition of representing traditionally masculine roles in delicate hand stitch, but also enjoy challenging those stereotypes

St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery
New Street, Lymington
Hampshire SO41 9BH
15 jan - 26 Feb 2022