The Boat Builders 15 Jan - 26 Feb 2022
This new series of portraits by Emily Jo Gibbs documents the work of the Foreman and Apprentices at Berthon Boatyard in Lymington. Highlighting the Value of Making and the importance of skilled labour. A celebration of people who prefer a hands-on approach, whose knowledge and skill is gained through the doing, learnt through making.
“I’m interested in the idea that by taking the time to slowly describe someone in stitch, 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”. Emily Jo Gibbs
Curly and Emily viewing his portrait at St Barbe Museum Jan 2022
Steph and Emily viewing her portrait at St Barbe Museum Jan 2022
In 2019 Maria Regan from St Barbe Museum and Gallery invited me to have a solo show. After exploring various themes, the idea evolved to base the show around apprentices working at Berthon Boat Yard a local business in Lymington. Maria and I had a brief initial site visit to the boat yard that was very inspiring so I returned a few weeks later to document a series of apprentices learning the trades of Shipwright, Engineer and Sprayer. I also met with other trades people and the Apprentices foremen.
You can read the story of meeting each individual and making their portrait below (click the link below each image). This project is being supported by Arts Council England.
Because of scheduling issues, the hanging of The Boat Builders was delayed by two years, in 2021 St Barbe commissioned me to make a new piece to accompany The Boat Builders. For this piece my starting point was a series of plan drawings from St Barbe’s archives. Technical drawings speak to the really accurate way I like to work; I’m in full admiration of the draftmanship. The piece I made is an exploration of colour and line was inspired by the beautiful plan of a 12 ton aux cutter named Lentune from the archive of St Barbe Museum. The original ‘lines plan’ is from The Berthon Boat Company Ltd and as far as I can make out was drawn by Rodney Paul chief designer circa.1936
Lentune 2021 - Hand stitched silk organza appliqué on linen
My show will be along side a new 62 Group Exhibition ‘Conversations: People, Places, Materials, Objects’. I joined The 62 Group in 2008 we are an Artist led co-operative with an international reputation for professionalism, quality of work and strength of purpose. I was delighted to recommend our group to St Barbe Museum and Gallery.
The 62 Group of Textile Artists
Conversations: People, Places, Materials, Objects
15 January – 26 February 2022