Do you have a special piece of textiles in your life?

Vicki Aimers in the Elizabeth Treffry Room during her Artist Residency at The Morrab Library in 2023.
This March, Book Artist and PhD Researcher at Falmouth University, Vicki Aimers, will be returning to The Morrab for a week’s Artist Residency exploring textile stories in West Cornwall.
Her Residency will be titled ‘A Guiding Hand’ and draws directly from the Library’s collection using this photograph from our Photo Archive as the starting point. It depicts a late 19th-century governess to the Chown family, Marion Ash, sitting on a garden bench with the children.

Dolly and Jack Chown with Marion Ash learning to sew in the garden.
Vicki says “Marion’s story provides insight into the often-overlooked experiences of governesses, touching on themes of emotional labour, isolation, and liminality. Inspired by these photographs, I will create a series of artist books that blend historical research with creative interpretation, bringing hidden narratives like Marion’s to light and encouraging public engagement with this rich archival material.”
Her PhD research focuses on the private education available to girls in Cornwall during the century, before the establishment of the Board and National Schools.
Ahead of her residency, Vicki is inviting members of The Morrab Library to delve into their attics and family archives to share stories, memories and examples of any family samplers.
She is particularly interested in those made in West Cornwall over the past century and is encouraging members to get in touch with her via email (vickiaimers@btinternet.com) or Instagram (@vicki_aimers). She would love to hear the stories of these special pieces of textiles in your life ahead of, and throughout her Residency (11th-15th March 2025).
We will be sharing more information about her Residency over the coming weeks but there will be workshops, a children’s activity, a talk, and more. We’ll share more information on these specific events soon.