The Hidden Histories
of Women

The Hidden Histories of Women: Researching, reflecting, and responding to our grandmothers’ histories.

Women’s stories comprise just 0.5% of recorded history. From medieval queens to our grandmothers, women’s contributions have often been overlooked. Historically, women were seen primarily as homemakers and mothers, supporting their husbands. However, their roles have always been vital.

Grandmothers have passed down life skills and experiences, creating a sense of security and belonging. Using textiles, a medium deeply tied to domestic and cultural values, I explore these connections. I interpret fragments of women’s lives through miniature vessels that reflect the female form and their historical significance.

My grandmother, born in 1899, taught me various sewing and embroidery techniques. Her patience and kindness inspired me to create vessels based on my memories. I’ve since created a series of miniature vessels inspired by others' grandmothers, exhibited at various venues.

I used my own memories to decide on the form, colour and decoration of the vessel. Since this first vessel I have spoken to lots of people about their grandmothers and created a series of miniature vessels referencing their different characteristics. This group of vessels continues to grow and was exhibited as part of Textures of Emotions: Storytelling and Textiles, a Progressive Connections conference held in Athens, Greece, 2022, ACE Arts, Somerton, 2023, Making Space, Havant and Sunbury Embroidery Gallery, 2024.

Share Your Memories

Would you like to share your grandmother's story? What kind of person was she? What adventures did she have? Share your memories with me, and I will create a vessel to celebrate her.

Workshop 26 October, 11am – 2pm

Join us for a workshop at UCA, Epsom, on Saturday, October 26th, where you can embroider a memory panel of your grandmother. These panels will inspire vessels added to the collection.

• Learn more about the event
• Book your place now

Artist Statement: Alison Baxter

I make delicate jewellery and small-scale three-dimensional objects working with thread, fabric, paper and metal. I trained as a jeweller and then in textiles, and am interested in creating work that crosses disciplines and sits on the edge of jewellery, textiles and craft objects. I use self-generated techniques with thread and metal and enjoy playing with the perception of scale by creating a sense of the monumental in the miniscule. Recent work explores capturing memories of people or a sense of place through abstract forms and use of materials. Inspiration can be from conversations with people, researching old buildings and their histories, or walks in local woods and forests and expressing their importance in our lives.

I have had an established practice as a jeweller for many years, exhibiting my work worldwide. Recent exhibitions of both jewellery and textile art have been in Italy, Greece, Portugal, China, Ukraine and the USA, as well as London, Salisbury, Bracknell, Farnham, Arundel, Somerton and Havant.

Education

• MA Textiles Distinction, University for the Creative Arts, 2017
• BA Hons 1st class Jewellery, Middlesex University, 1980

Selected Exhibitions – Solo

• The Grandmother Project, Sunbury Embroidery Gallery, 2024
• The Grandmother Project, Making Space, Havant, 2024
• The Grandmother Project, ACEarts, Somerton, 2023
• The Hidden Histories of Women, South Hill Park Arts Centre, 2020-2021
• Crafts Council Gallery, V&A Museum, London, 1987
• Silver Slivers, Plastic Patterns, London, 1981

Selected Exhibitions – Group

• Micro Textile Art ‘Scythia’, Ukraine, 2023
• Miniartextil, Italy, 2022
• Shifthink, Victoria Institute, Arundel, UK, 2020
• Collectiva, Portugal, 2019
• Beijing International Jewellery Art, China, 2019
• Public & Private Collections
• National Museum of Scotland
• Victoria & Albert Museum, London
• Skipton Art Gallery, Yorkshire
• Galerie Ra, Amsterdam

Contact

Email: alisonbaxterjewellery@btopenworld.com
Website: https://www.alisonbaxter.org.uk
Instagram: @alisonbaxterartjewellery #grandmothershiddenhistories