Archie Brennan: Tapestry Goes Pop! Dovecot Studios, 10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1LT Friday 26th March – Saturday 26 th June 2021
How absolutely fascinating: who knows anything about Archie Brennan, pop artist, weaver, bodybuilder and former Mr Scotland, who changed the course of modern weaving and is considered one of the greatest unrecognised pop artists of the twentieth century?
No, nor me either. Unrecognised because he chose to work in tapestry. Archie Brennan: Tapestry Goes Pop! tells the story of Edinburgh native Archie Brennan (1931-2019) in the first-ever major retrospective of his work. Bringing together over 80 tapestries and works, in a thematic exhibition exploring 60 years of prolific tapestry making, as well as archive material, this is a chance to delve into the world of a master of modern tapestry. A number of the works in the exhibition have never been on public display.
Sharp, witty, and immensely talented, Brennan began his 60-year weaving career as an apprentice at Dovecot, before becoming Artistic Director in 1963. He was an innovator and iconoclast who inspired weavers all over the world from Papua New Guinea to Australia. He dedicated his life to teaching and his influence on weaving can still be felt to this day. What many don’t realise is that while Brennan was a leading force in twentieth century tapestry, he was also a central, and largely overlooked force in the development of Pop Art in Britain.
Through tapestry, an output more often associated with stately homes, the court and monumental ecclesiastical works, he explored the key concerns of pop – ephemera, popular imagery and culture, 2 and questions of value. A fascinating component of Brennan’s engagement with Pop Art is his interest in celebrity culture and media representations of individuals. Throughout his career he was drawn to public figures such as Princess Diana, and boxer and activist Muhammad Ali.
Often Brennan used small images cut from newspapers and magazines or sketched from the TV to translate pop culture imagery to tapestry. One of the keystones of Brennan’s practice is the tension between high and low art, throwaway culture and the time intensive process of tapestry weaving. Tapestry Goes Pop! gives a unique insight into this undisputed master of modern tapestry..
Celia Joicey, director at Dovecot Studios, says Archie Brennan is the most significant tapestry weaver of the 20th century.
Archie’s life and work will be celebrated at Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh, where his career flourished. Through his innovative technique, international collaborations and his commitment to weaving as a fine art, Brennan’s legacy to contemporary tapestry is unparalleled.
Exhibition co-curated with National Museums Scotland.
Archie Brennan: Tapestry Goes Pop! Exhibition Dates Friday 26th March – Saturday 26th June 2021 Monday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm Location 10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EH1 1LT
How to get there: Infirmary Street is a short walk from the hive of Princes Street where you can connect via the many bus and tram routes. It is an eight minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley station.
Social Media @dovecotstudios Website www.dovecotstudios.com
Exhibition supported by the Cordis Charitable Trust. 3 Dovecot Studios Dovecot is a world-renowned tapestry studio in the heart of Edinburgh and a landmark centre for contemporary art, craft, and design.
Images courtesy of Archie Brennan Estate