Telling tales with textiles

STUDENTS have been working with homeless people in Manchester to tell their stories with needle and thread – and embroidering the words onto a patchwork quilt to be exhibited at the Holden Gallery, from December 4th to 18th.

the warm /&/the cold is a project run by arts organisation arthur+martha, led by poet Phil Davenport and artist Lois Blackburn, who have spent many months working with the homeless community, alongside students from MMU.

Davenport said: “The quilt was created by asking simple questions which don’t have simple answers. When were you warm? When were you cold? People talked about being physically cold, but also emotional warmth and cold. Some of the stories were heartbreaking, others were funny, or angry – or wise. People outside society can often have great insight.”

The project was devised to help homeless people develop new life skills, socialise and build confidence. Volunteer student helpers from the Embroidery Department at Manchester Metropolitan University helped to stitch the work and also made quilts in reply.

Heart and soul

Blackburn said: “Some of the students have put heart and soul into this – they’ve been so enthusiastic and very open-minded. Homelessness is a taboo, but it is likely to get more common in this time of economic hardship. We’ve met people from many walks of life and of many abilities.

“Often their family life has been disrupted and they spiral down from there. We hope that bringing students into the project will help promote acceptance of homeless people and wider understanding.”

The project challenges stereotypes about homelessness, combating hate crime against homeless people and emphasizing needs shared by us all – especially shelter and acceptance.

the warm /&/the cold has received funding from Arts Council England and Bury Arts Service. It is partnered by The Booth Centre, The Big Issue in the North, BBC, Salford University Media Department and Manchester Metropolitan University Embroidery Department.