A unique world class art project is coming to Cupar Corn Exchange. “Knitting A Nation” is a collaborative project to produce a large scale knitted map of Scotland and comprises the work of thirty-six women from around the country. The finished map will be available for public viewing as part of the Hear the Nation event on 21st June.
Knitting A Nation provides a kaleidoscope of impressions, memories and interpretations of women from places as far apart as Shetland and the Borders, Lewis and Aberdeen; women of different ages, backgrounds and political persuasion. It reflects the variety of landscapes and seascapes Scotland has to offer and will be a testament to the commitment, vision and creativity of the women, their willingness to collaborate and their love of Scotland.
Each of the 36 women has contributed an A4 rectangular section of the map to their own design – with no more than an outline plan, technical guidelines and a palette of suggested colours. Their rectangles will be assembled into a large scale map of Scotland, blocked, backed and framed by a textile artist and knitting designer, and will be unveiled at a reception on Friday 20th June at the Corn Exchange in Cupar.
Andy Collins, spokesperson for Yes North East Fife said, “We are delighted that this remarkable world class project is coming to Cupar as part of the Hear the Nation event in June. This is about giving the people of North East Fife a chance to see this unique map first hand and to enjoy a day out free of charge.”
The project is being followed by Jo Gill and Francois Lamy, a European based documentary team (journalist and cameraman). They wish to capture on film the essence of how attitudes are changing in Scotland throughout this campaign and decided that this project would be an ideal focus for their work.
Knitting A Nation has also attracted the attention of National Collective, a non-party political group for young artists and creatives who support independence. Their photographer Andy Summers is taking photographs for their Documenting Scotland project. Some of those photographs will form a backdrop to the exhibited map.
The actor and singer Dolina MacLennan will sing waulking songs at the launch, linking the historical importance of the wool industry to Scotland and its connection with the Highland Clearances.
Hear the Nation
All Day Art and Music Festival
Saturday 21 June
The Corn Exchange, Cupar
10 am til late
Free admission