Collection Review – Patterns of Life

Patterns of Life

Patterns of Life is a collaborative research and documentation project to digitise, rehouse and develop engagement around a study collection of almost 200 objects held at Platt Hall.

The collection is held at Platt Hall and was acquired through donations and purchases during the early to late 1990s, from shops in Rusholme, through textile collectors and during research visits to India funded by the Costume Society. The collection comprises woven, printed and embroidered textiles, furnishings, garments, fragments and fabric lengths and includes Toys, kites, wood blocks and ornaments from South Asia and parts of the Global South.

This dynamic and vibrant collection comprises a range of materials with variety of storage needs and includes examples of Madras check, hand block printed textiles, woven Ikat, hand embroidered garments, tie-dye fabrics, wax resist Indigo, and mirrorwork.

We are working with a team of volunteers and Manchester Art Gallery staff to rehouse, research and document this collection. We will draw on different forms of expertise and knowledge, externally and internally, working collaboratively with volunteers, collections management, learning, conservation and curatorial team members to collectively explore the needs, significance and potential of this study collection today so that we can create an accessible resource to support communities and programmes in the future.

What are the key objectives for this collection review?

Improve knowledge around this textile collection
Understand the significance and use of this textile collection within the history of Platt Hall.
Develop skills and expertise of staff and volunteers
Respond to the storage and care needs of the collection
Resolve an historic approach to collecting, addressing the need to digitise relevant documents so the knowledge and learning is retained and accessible
Explore the future use of this collection as a handling resource that supports creative activity and learning

The Project so far

We have completed stage 1: rehousing of the collection of textiles and we are now meeting weekly with volunteers and staff to document this material so that in the future, it can be available to search online. Through this research phase we will continue to creatively think about recording and reflecting upon our findings to increase accessibility to this collection and support future activity for local residents to Platt Hall.

Thanks to National Lottery players for their support.