Alison Welsh
k. 2007 - Armchair Politico
Mechanical Drawing – the Schiffli Project‘ARMCHAIR POLITICO/ SEAT OF LEARNING’
Alison Welsh and Stephen Dixon. 2006-2007.
‘Armchair Politico’ is based on a traditional domestic armchair, the textile cover de-constructed and re-constructed using layered, appliquéd, printed and embroidered textile techniques.
The piece was created within the context of the ‘Mechanical Drawing’ project, to investigate new technical and creative applications for the historic Schiffli multi headed embroidery machine. The Schiffli machine provided the opportunity to combine the mechanical reproduction of multiple images with the immediacy of hand-drawing using the pantograph arm.
Post-modern theorist Jean Baudrillard famously declared that the first Gulf war (16 January to 28 February 1991) did not occur in reality, only existing as a hyperreal representation on our tv screens.
Whilst not advocating this provocative position, ‘Armchair Politico’ brings into question the contemporary consumption and acceptance of images and information, through a juxtaposition of the ordinary (the armchair as representative icon of the domestic environment) and the extraordinary (imagery sourced from the global news media).
The work develops the concept of the armchair as both metaphor and vehicle for the exploration of contemporary narratives, building upon Antoni Tapies’ use of armchair as ‘canvas’, and referencing Joseph Beuys’ re-interpretation of manufactured objects and Yinko Shonibare’s sculptural exploration of textile as a metaphor for cultural identity.
Armchair Politico is an inter-disciplinary collaboration, creatively combining Welsh’s research interests in the inter-connection of emotions and objects, with Dixon’s long-established interests in socio-political narratives for the crafts.
This touring exhibition is documented in a catalogue by Melanie Miller and June Hill. ISBN 978-1-905476-17-6
 2007 Shiffli Machine |
 Embroidery Magazine October 2007 |
 2007 Armchair Politico - Selvedge Magazine |
 2007 Armchair Politico - Alison Welsh |
 2007 Armchair Politico |