SCARF

2008
in collaboration with Jane Twigg

In December 2007 the phenomenal UK artist Jane Twigg and I were talking. We had both been artists-in-residence at the Curfew Tower before, and were discussing how much we loved it and what an amazing experience these residencies are and how much we would love to go back.

Over the next month there was an idea that developed – we wanted to make a giant scarf for the outside of the Tower, to thank it for being a magical place. We thought it would be interesting to make it out of discarded jumpers from the people who live in Cushendall where the Curfew Tower stands, people who have a long history with this building. Keeping the Tower warm with jumpers that had kept the town warm, transferring warmth from a group of people to a location.

So, for eight days in February 2008, Jane and I cut and sewed and begged for jumpers and involved the town in making this gigantic scarf. The final product was just over a meter wide and about 100 m long, and wrapped around the tower twice.

The experience was nothing short of magical – we sewed every night in the local pubs and enlisted the help of everyone we could convince, and during the day when we weren’t madly constructing we went into local schools and got the overwhelmingly enthusiastic participation of schoolchildren. The construction and installation of the work in seven days was not only an amazing experience, but also allowed us the opportunity to meet so many people who live in Cushendall and hear their stories of their relationship with the Tower. Enlisting the entire community’s help in constructing a public show of affection to such a great building and incredible place was more beautiful (and easier) than we could have hoped.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who helped, suggested, provided moral support, their unwanted jumpers, critique and pints.