TEXTUS: in-between text and textile 9th July – 3rd September AN EXHIBITION AND COMMUNITY ARTS PROJECT AT THE TORRIANO MEETING HOUSE, KENTISH TOWN – knit – note – knot – quote – weave – word – sew – song – thread – thought – text – textile – TEXT – US –

The Torriano Meeting House is delighted to present TEXTUS: in-between text and textile, an exhibition and community arts project bringing together over 30 artists and poets whose work explores the entangled relationship between text and textile. TEXTUS, the Medieval Latin root of ‘text’ and ‘textile’, meaning ‘thing woven’, but also, TEXT US! Woven conversations, stitched stanzas, wearable magazines and lyrical garments fill the space. Nina Mingya Powles presents a patchwork wall hanging made from cyanotypes and inherited fabrics alongside an accompanying zine that threads connections between memory and nature; Jo Cope investigates the ‘language of feet’ in her handcrafted shoe sculptures; Chika Oduah’s poetry-film sounds as an ode to the African woman’s headtie; Rohma Khan etches Amrita Pritam’s poetry into her heirloom chador, addressing the 1947 partition of Punjab; Shelly Goldsmith contemplates our relationship with other species as she sews poetic clothing labels into reclaimed polyester fabrics. Poems hang in conversation with the artworks. The TEXTUS poets reflect on fabric’s importance in our lives in an array of processes, including the formation of identity, memory, and relationships. This interdisciplinary exhibition offers visitors new and playful ways into poetry, inviting them to enjoy words in their tactile and textile form.

TEXTUS is not static; it is unfolding, refolding and enfolding. Drawing on the identity and history of the Torriano as a meeting house, TEXTUS calls for collaboration between its displaying artists, poets and visitors. Visitors are encouraged to relax on a sofa or chair, converse and use the provided writing materials to respond to the exhibited works. They are invited to TEXT their responses to textus.network@gmail.com, which may be shared on the TEXTUS Instagram and/or performed at the venue’s regular poetry readings. Throughout the exhibition, there will also be a number of free artist-led workshops offering further opportunity for deep engagement with the displayed works. So, take up a pleat between text and textile and use the Torriano as a meeting house to exchange ideas, collaborate, create, and form relationships that will outlive the exhibition build. TEXTUS is a non-profit exhibition run entirely by volunteers. We look forward to meeting you, seeing your responses and growing the TEXTUS network!

TEXTUS features over 30 artists and poets: Timothy Adès, Jennifer Aldred, Anouk Beckers, Victoria Adukwei Bulley, Oliver Comins, Jo Cope, Josephine Corcoran, Natalie d'Arbeloff, Keri Finlayson, Jackie Goode, Sylee Gore, Shelly Goldsmith, Rose HighamStainton, Raisa Kabir, Lisa Kelly, Chris Kerr, Rohma Khan, Henrica Langh, Emma Lee, Patrizia Longhitano, Stuart McKenzie, Siobhan McLaughlin, Chika Oduah, Ben Philipps, Nina Mingya Powles, Lavinia Singer, Kathryn Southworth, Keziah FlorinSefton, Lottie McCrindell, Tim Waller, Ellis Warren, Grace Warren, Thomas Whittaker, Stephen Paul Wren, Onosiokhue Yakubu TEXTUS is curated by Keziah Florin-Sefton and Lottie McCrindell. With assistance from Onosiokhue Yakubu, Isobel Landell Mills, Phoebe Ingleby and Miriam Agiru.

If you would like any further information or images of the selected artworks, please email: textus.network@gmail.com

Information Address: Torriano Meeting House, 99 Torriano Ave, London, NW5 2RX Opening times: 9th July – 3rd September Weekends, 11am-6pm and by appointment in the week. Contact: textus.network@gmail.com

Press release