The Fabric of Home

At Winter Gardens, Surrey Street, Sheffield S1 2LH

In the UK today, many families live with housing insecurity - experiencing or being at risk of multiple house moves that are not through choice. Exploring this theme, a series of fabric quilts by textile artist Rebekah Johnston will be on display at the Winter Gardens.

The exhibition will feature one large quilted work and four smaller pieces. The quilts explore the concept of 'home,' reflecting on themes such as safety, family, warmth, shelter, and protection. This is achieved through the use of fabrics, commonly found in domestic settings – literal fabrics of home such as repurposed bedsheets and tablecloths. Additionally, the pieces address themes of loss and insecurity, incorporating elements like gaps, holes, and tears in the fabric. Alongside the beautiful quilts you'll also be able to find out about recent research exploring families’ experiences of housing insecurity.

Led by Dr Hannah Fairbrother, University of Sheffield and textile artist Rebekah Johnston