The 17-meter-long piece was created over the course of a week by over 80 pairs of hands (and feet). The wool was sourced with generous support of Oliver, Derek and Mathew at Shetland Wool Brokers as well as donations from friends and participants.
The creation of FELT brought people together to sensorially explore raw fleece and to connect over the repetitive, satisfying act of working loose wool into felt. Accompanying photography and artifacts celebrate the constellation of efforts that made the work possible. Every participant was given the opportunity to sign their name as an artist, and these names are now proudly displayed.
The work follows the artists’ 2023 piece ‘Shepherds Bridge’ for the Nasjonalmuseet in Oslo, which highlighted Norwegian wool. Some Spælsau fleece has been hidden in this new piece to honour the genetic and cultural connection between the Norwegian and Shetland sheep.
A special thank you to the volunteers at Voxter House Outdoor Centre, the Viking Unst Project (in particular, Helen Hart), the technicians and staff at Mareel who beautifully supported the workshops, and to the Shetland Arts Commissioning Fund which made the project possible.
Meet the Artists
The Shetland-based Lydia May Hann and Danish Amanda Vesthardt met while studying design at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts, bonding over tactility and the art of collecting. Vesthardt is currently in residence at the Young V&A in London working with soft sculpture and recycled materials, and Hann divides her time between the Shetland Woolen Co knitwear factory and her own wool-based creative practice.
