There are three new books in the library: Design from
Peasant Art, Make Your Own Rugs and Central Otago Couture: The Eden Hore Collection.
Kathleen Mann’s book about design from colloquial art was published in London by Adam and Charles Black in 1939 and this edition is the reprinted edition from 1952. It is a charming read with plenty of line drawings of the simple and naive motifs, and colour photos of felt work, embroidery and appliqué. In the gallery below are some pictures of the book and its contents.
Make Your Own Rugs: A Guide to Design and Technique by Sue Peverill is a 1989 Hamlyn publication about the techniques used in making floor coverings. With examples from traditional designs through to contemporary artist’s interpretations, this is a book for both the new and more accomplished maker, offering knowledge, advice and inspiration, as you can see in the photographs below.
Jane Malthus and Claire Regnault’s book about the Eden Hore Collection is a glimpse into the life of this Otago farmer who developed an interest and passion in dresses and gowns. Over his lifetime he accumulated a vast collection of garments that were housed in The Tractor Shed. After his death the collection was maintained by his nephew and nephew’s wife until it was sold to the Central Otago District Council in 2013. The collection is now regularly displayed and the legend of the gown-collecting successful farmer is reaching new audiences through this book of photographs of the pieces being modelled in the Otago countryside. The model in the photograph is wearing a Kevin Berkhan day dress from 1972. The dress was made from “John Kaldor synthetic sheer with acetate lining” and the photograph was taken in 2019 in the stunning Bannockburn area of Otago.
The library will shortly be open for readers to browse the books. The publications range from magazines to artist books, encyclopaedias and technical manuals. To use the library please email or come into the studio to arrange a time.
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