Caoimhe Tulloch

Fabric of 'The Troubles'

I have always been drawn to a particular image of my Northern Irish grandparents on their Wedding day, more specifically my Granny Betty‘s wedding dress. When reflecting on this image, I began to think about the nostalgia I have associated with Northern Ireland as well as the country’s rich history in textile manufacturing. Ireland used to produce some of the finest laces and linens in the world. Due to a number of factors, the Irish textile industry is nowhere near as big as it used to be. The Troubles are now synonymous with Ireland, and can often override all of the beautiful parts of Ireland. Through my work I would like to capture the nostalgia I have associated with Northern Ireland whilst still acknowledging the tension and element of control that follows the Troubles. I would like to explore that duality, the use of stark contrast to highlight the beautiful side of Northern Ireland that isn't often focused on. Using the interplay between harsh knife pleats and ruffled lace, these garments will exhibit both the severity of the troubles whilst also showcasing the sentimentality I have associated with Northern Ireland.