Second Sitters
Second Sitters, a new exhibition by Upholstery alumni of The Cass reveals that the traditional craft is increasingly attracting a new breed of more experimental artists and designer-makers.
Curated by Hannah Stanton and Jude Dennis.
The exhibition, at the Parker Gallery on Commercial Road from the 17th to 27th April, show-cases aspects of the craft including upholstery as textile design, as sculpture, frame making and manipulation. It also features collaborative pieces with other artists. Exhibited works show a depth of influence from a much broader base than just upholstery.The exhibition reveals changes in the range and type of artefact created in the Cass upholstery studios, attributable in part to shifts in the demographic of upholstery students in recent years.
Second Sitters was conceived after many discussions between Hannah and Jude – largely revolving around the definition of their work. ‘Craft’- is it a dirty word? Are we designers? Are we designer-makers? Artists? This exhibition explores and challenges those boundaries.