There has always been a link between text and textiles.
From the roots of the words themselves, through ancient stories of Norns weaving the fates of men, to fairy tales about cursed spinning wheels, textiles are intrinsically tied to the tales we tell. Alicia Anne Adams, the folklorist and writer behind the “Forgotten Fleece Tales” book and exhibition, will “spin a yarn” about the textile-laced language we use to talk about fiction, and the way tales can be told through thread.
About Alicia Adams & Forgotten Fleece Tales:
Alicia is a writer and folklorist based in the rolling South Downs of England. Having studied Medieval Literature at University, Alicia has carried her love of old lore and legend into her career as a content writer, creating heartfelt copy for heritage craft businesses.
Alicia has written an original short story for each artwork in the Forgotten Fleece Tales exhibit, drawing out themes of heritage, community, folklore and ecology, all woven together with wool. These tales accompany their inspirations both in the exhibit itself, where they can be read or watched via QR code, and in the companion book.
Forgotten Fleece Tales is a celebration of the space where art, craft, story and ecology come together. You can find a small sample of this amazing exhibition at Butser BookFest! The full exhibition features a curated collection of works made using “waste” or “unwanted” organic Scottish fleece, and byproducts of industrial fleece processing.
With a combination of wearables, wall hangings, home textiles, sculptural pieces and interactive experiences, Forgotten Fleece Tales provides an immersive and in-depth exploration of the enduring value of Scottish fleece, both in terms of farming and textiles heritage, and hopes for a sustainable future.
The theme of “forgotten” fleece will bind the pieces together in the form of a unique piece of short fiction written for each creation by folklorist and writer Alicia Anne Adams. These tales will draw on aspects of Scottish folklore, history, and landscapes. They will invite readers to connect more closely with the story of wool - both in the pieces on display, and in their everyday lives.
