'Conversation Pieces' evolved from observation of, and dialogue with the archivist, curators and conservators of the textile collection at the Whitworth Art Gallery. Ideas explored relate to the loss of information, the empty spaces of memory and history as objects are collected and enter the museum environment. New histories are created as efforts are made to recover information and conserve the artefact. Placed in the museum context, and mostly physically disengaged from their historical period and place of origin, new associations and relationships are formed between artefacts, collector, institution, curator, keeper and conservator, recorded through museological and institutional systems.
There are many pairs of hands represented here, engaged in repetitive and rhythmic activity, suggestive of time and care. The activities of making and conserving are recorded in printed, layered images. Hands of makers are interleaved with those of the conservator and suspended over images of personalised tools and material from the Whitworth archive. Included are annotations by hand, and the initialled activity of individual conservators demonstrate the intimate knowledge which conservator now shares with maker - ‘Washed by H.W.’ Imagery and colours fade in and out. Phrases from the archive relating to destruction and care are printed on the edge of the embroidery hoops; 'signs of foxing'.
