Unearthed: Textile Design students from Arts University Plymouth showcase archaeological-inspired works at MAKE Southwest

<p dir="ltr">Each student in <em>Unearthed</em> has developed a unique textile response to objects from RAMM’s archaeological collections, exploring themes of material memory, environmental process, and narrative interpretation.</p> <p dir="ltr">Donna Hibberd’s work draws on the story of prehistoric tin ingots lost in a shipwreck and changed by centuries underwater. Inspired by the chemical transformation of the metals, she created her own sea-infused dye process using cloth soaked in saltwater and seaweed collected from the South Devon coast. The resulting silk and linen textiles echo the layered corrosion of the ingots and hold traces of their maritime origins.</p> <p dir="ltr">Eleanor Jones took a playful, abstract approach to a set of Neolithic loom weights discovered beneath trees near Exeter. Her tufted textile interprets these ancient tools through a bold, contemporary lens. With colour gradients and pile height variation, she reimagines erosion, natural form, and organic processes, bringing tactile energy and modernity to a prehistoric reference point.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Alanah Evans explored digital printing and natural dye to produce a repeat pattern rooted in the Mesolithic and Bronze Age. Drawing from motifs found on items in Cranbrook, Exeter, her piece <em>Periodic Fractal</em> uses a contrasting colour palette to bridge past and present, connecting folklore and archaeology with contemporary design trends.</p> <p dir="ltr">Together, these works demonstrate the power of textiles to tell layered, place-specific stories, merging archival research with experimentation in stitch, print, dye, tuft and digital production. The full cohort of second-year BA (Hons) Textile Design students contributed to the exhibition.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Students developed their pieces using Arts University Plymouth's state-of-the-art facilities, including:</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Fabric Studio</strong>: Equipped for screen printing, tufting, and embroidery.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>CAD Lab</strong>: Supporting digital design and pattern development.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Open-access workshops</strong>: Providing resources for material experimentation and construction.</p></li></ul> <p dir="ltr">This hands-on experience prepares students for professional practice, emphasizing the translation of historical research into tangible textile art.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Unearthed exemplifies how historical research can inform and inspire contemporary textile design," said Emma Gribble, Lecturer in BA (Hons) Textile Design at Arts University Plymouth. "Our students have skillfully transformed their insights into compelling works that engage modern audiences, demonstrating both technical proficiency and creative vision."<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>‘</strong><a href="https://makesouthwest.org.uk/all-activity/unearthed" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Unearthed</a>’ is open to the public from 7 May to 8 June 2025 at MAKE Southwest in Bovey Tracey. Admission is free, with the gallery open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Additional events related to the exhibition will be announced on the<a href="https://makesouthwest.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> MAKE Southwest website</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">For more about<a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-textile-design"> BA (Hons) Textile Design at Arts University Plymouth</a>, visit the course page.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Explore Arts University Plymouth this summer</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">An<a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/events/open-day-ug-jun25"> Undergraduate Open Day</a> takes place on <strong>Saturday 21 June, from 10am to 2pm</strong>, at the leading arts university’s city-centre campus in Plymouth. Prospective students can explore specialist studios and facilities, meet course leaders and current students, and find out more about creative careers in the arts.</p> <p>The event coincides with the<a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/events/undergraduate-graduate-shows-2025">Undergraduate Graduate Shows 2025</a>, offering a unique opportunity to experience a wide range of student work across disciplines. Entry is free and open to all.</p>