A new tapestry inspired by a historic series of paintings in the University of Aberdeen's collections has been completed and has now been installed in the Sir Duncan Rice Library.
The work by Dovecot Studios is designed by Zimbabwean-Scottish artist Sekai Machache and is one of the first works to be unveiled through Jerwood Art Fund Commissions – a partnership between Jerwood Foundation and Art Fund offering fully funded support for ambitious new contemporary art commissions.
The project was awarded funding as a new piece of contemporary art designed to enrich UK public collections and support artists to produce work of exceptional quality and further their artistic development at pivotal stages in their careers. This commission will inspire conversations around cultural identity, history and belonging.
Machache’s three panel design draws on the Aberdeen Sibyls – a rare 17th-century series of paintings depicting ancient female oracles, which were gifted to the University in 1641.
Each of the prophetic figures is associated with a different part of the ancient world and the paintings were among the few representations of women in a university that was, at the time, entirely male dominated.
Machache reinterprets the Sibyls through a contemporary lens, reclaiming the historic images as symbols of female authority, while also acknowledging their complex origins and connections. The three panels are titled Serpentine Flow, inspired by the ancient symbols of serpents associated with the Sibyls, Two Black Doves which represents the birds Sibyls are said to turn into and, As Imagined, which is Machache’s illustration of ancient Libyan women.
While the artwork was woven at Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh, the world’s leading contemporary fine art tapestry studio, visitors had the opportunity to witness the tapestry taking shape from its Viewing Balcony, seeing the living art of weaving first-hand as Dovecot’s team of specialist weavers translated Machache’s triptych design into an intricate woven artwork.
More than 100 vivid hues of blue have been used across the tapestry, with cotton and linen yarns capturing the vibrancy and depth of Machache’s original ink washes. The panels were woven on their side to preserve the fluidity and movement of the drawn lines.
They can now be seen hanging from the first floor of the University’s striking library building, which has a twisting, vortex-like opening carved out through the centre of every floor, allowing the tapestry to be viewed from different angles.
Lisa Collinson, University of Aberdeen Collections, said: “This has been an incredible opportunity to create a brand-new piece of artwork that will now be displayed in our library and we hope this work will have a lasting legacy for the University, for Sekai Machache, Dovecot, and for the place of Scottish art and tapestry in the 21st century.
“The Aberdeen Sibyls are an important piece of University history and it has been fascinating to see a contemporary artist reinterpret the paintings and the story behind them for a new audience.
“The completed work demonstrates how tapestry can express ideas, histories and feelings and we are grateful for the support of Jerwood Art Fund Commissions in making this possible.”
Machache described her inspiration for each of the panels and speaking about Two Black Doves she said: “It’s like a vision that I had in my mind, a dream of the Sibyls in a more poetic sense, thinking about the concept of transformation” and for As Imagined she added: “You’ll see an image of a woman who appears to be based on a marble statue…and then an image painted from my research and from my understanding of how an ancient Libyan woman may have actually looked.”
Lara Wardle, Executive Director and Trustee, Jerwood Foundation, said: “The display of Sekai Machache’s remarkable work at the University of Aberdeen marks a significant milestone for the Jerwood Art Fund Commissions. Jerwood Foundation is dedicated to empowering artists at pivotal moments in their careers, giving them the resources and creative freedom to produce truly ambitious work. This unique partnership reinforces our enduring commitment to cultivating artistic excellence and supporting the next generation of creative talent across the UK.”
Jenny Waldman, Director, Art Fund, said: “Sekai Machache’s intricate tapestry, created with Dovecot Studio's talented weavers, offers a fascinating reinterpretation of the historic Aberdeen Sibyls. Through Jerwood Art Fund Commissions, we're proud to support artists to create and present new work, enriching public collections with outstanding contemporary art. We hope visitors to the University of Aberdeen will enjoy and be inspired by this striking tapestry for years to come.”
The three-panel tapestry will become part of the University’s collections, alongside the original paintings which inspired their creation.