'North Light' 

Arts in Manufacturing 

The National Festival of Making July 2023

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This was a playful installation for families to explore together.

Experience the flow of the factory floor, search for the ever present heartbeat of the looms and interact with touchable objects, wearable pieces and soft sculpture.

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The Herbert Parkinson factory has been making soft furnishings for John Lewis for 70 years; a history that artists Sarah Marsh and Stephanie Jeffries explored, gathering sensory memories of sound, touch and smell to weave into their playscape.

Stephanie and Sarah have been in residency with John Lewis partner, Darwen-based Herbert Parkinson. Since 1953 Herbert Parkinson has been a thriving example of UK design, quality and craftsmanship. Combining the best of modern technology and traditional skills, Herbert Parkinson makes many of John Lewis’s own brand soft furnishings, duvets, pillows, and all of their Made to Measure products.

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Sensory memories of sound, touch and smell have been collected from partners of the factory to delve into the 70-year history of the people that have worked there and will be woven into a playful installation for families to explore together. Audiences will be invited to follow the flow of the factory floor, searching for the ever present heartbeat of the looms, slowing down to interact with touchable objects, wearable pieces and soft sculpture.

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