Quarry Bank and Manchester School of Art

Rachel Capovila's artwork, a washing line with embroidered garments

For the A Woman's Work is Never Done exhibition, the team at Quarry Bank looked for emerging artists to produce artwork that would create a contemporary conversation with the stories of women who have lived and worked in the mill. Three artists were chosen from the students and alumni of Manchester School of Art, based upon their innovative interpretations of the theme of women’s work.

Three tapestries by Carina Ripley symbolising pregnancy, birth and child rearing
Quarry Bank   Cheshire

Carina Ripley 'With Child'

'I interpreted the brief in a way that encouraged me to explore the physical acts of pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. While much of the research for these works was historically based, globally we face issues around access to abortion, pre-natal care, welfare support and so much more - each of which is accentuated by class, gender and race.’ Carina Ripley

Image of embossed artwork with cut outs of women at work
Quarry Bank   Cheshire

Dean Smith 'Women at Work'

‘From a distance, blind embossing looks invisible, it is not until you look closely that you see the true detail or appreciate the tactility. This is the same for women’s work, which is too often overlooked’ Dean Smith

Rachel Capovila's artwork, a washing line with embroidered garments
Quarry Bank   Cheshire

Rachel Capovila 'A Woman's Work is Never Done'

‘From the darning of the working class women – expressing love through maintenance – to the stitching of the repressed middle class women, fabric plays a significant role in all women’s lives.' Rachel Capovila