Haxton with V&A Dundee
One sunny day in autumn 2023, I was in our shop when a stranger approached me asking if I was Erin and handed me a large envelop, then without saying another word they turned and left. As they walked away we both turned to look at each other a little quizzically. That was how I met the magical Fraser Taylor, although admitedley at time, I didn't know who he was.
That wee moment and exchange led to this wonderful collaboration. Through Fraser, I have met more and more of the amazing Scottish creative community and been lucky enough to work with some of them to create this collection.
It started with Fraser's print 'Viewing Across' for our fifth birthday in September 2023 and everything led from that...
Viewing Across by Fraser Taylor
By this stage of proceedings an exhibition of Fraser's work from 1977-87 was in the works, curated by Dr Helena Britt with Panel. As the exhibition 'Instant Whip' came into focus, so did our collaboration with Fraser, so much so that we decided to time them to launch together.
Next up we worked with the clever folks at CAT, Glasgow School of Art to print our scarves, using the Viewing Across print, which at it's original scale is almost seven metres long. Printed on a beautiful wool and silk mix, each scarf is two metres long and seventy centimetres wide, cut at intersections along the print this means that each scarf is a totally unique and a one off piece of wearable art, following a direct line of descent from Fraser's early work with The Cloth and the shirts Betty Jackson made with their prints way back when.
link = Viewing Across wool and silk scarf by Haxton
After this came sweatshirts, T shirts and Print Clan! A wonderful print studio in Glasgow. I had walked past Print Clan a couple of time and thought... that looks like an interesting place, I would like to know more about, so when Fraser suggested we work with them, I jumped at the chance. Print Clan is an inclusive screen printing studio that accommodates social, design and fine art based projects by offering access to screen printing resources and training. They run a Wellbeing Programme in collaboration with third sector organisations around Glasgow, which provides arts access to disadvantaged communities.
Working with Studio Roam was always on our list, Fraser knew already knew Lachlan and Sonia from previous projects. They are lucky enough to be based in Galashiels, the heart of the Scottish textile and knitwear industry, where they make truly luxury blankets, like the superb art blankets for Hauser & Wirth. Check them out at studioroam.co.uk.
And now to complete this post a little bio on the fabulous Fraser....
Fraser studied Printed Textiles at The Glasgow School of Art. He co-founded The Cloth in 1983 with David Band, Brian Bolger and Helen Manning, a creative studio focused on contemporary textile design and production. Since 1983 he has developed an interdisciplinary art practice and has exhibited his work internationally.
From 2001 until 2017 Fraser was a Visiting Artist and Adjunct Full Professor in the Department of Fiber and Material Studies at the School of Art Institute in Chicago. Her returned to Glasgow in 2017 and in 2020 launched a new body of work under the label Haxton.
The exhibition Instant Whip: revisiting the textiles and papers of Fraser Taylor, 1977-87, is a MUST SEE from 16 March - 20 April
