The world’s largest collaborative embroidery project, The Red Dress is both a striking visual icon and a global storytelling phenomenon; previous appearances include in Paris, Warsaw, Cairo, Sarajevo, Geneva, Dubai and Mexico City.
Constructed from 87 panels of burgundy silk dupion, the garment travelled internationally for fourteen years between 2009 – 2023, being continuously embroidered by hundreds of contributors across five continents.Conceived and project managed by artist Kirstie Macleod, the dress features the work of 380 embroiderers from 51 countries, including refugees, survivors of conflict, artisans, students, embroidery professionals, and first-time stitchers.
Many of the contributors were vulnerable, marginalised, or living in poverty, and the aim of the project was to create a beautiful, collaborative artwork with the power to share stories on the global stage through the universal language of stitch.
Museum Co-Director Bryony Robins commented: “We are supremely excited to be welcoming The Red Dress to Cornwall and have a diverse programme of events and engagement activities for schools, community groups and local artisans planned around the exhibition.”
Tickets have gone on sale this week and the museum is expecting strong demand, with early booking recommended; tickets are £10 for adults which includes general museum admission and an Annual Pass, while under 18s go free.
Artist Kirstie Macleod said: “I’m looking forward to bringing The Red Dress to Cornwall for the first time, and seeing it inhabit the beautiful main gallery space at Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery. I know the team at the museum have some innovative plans for celebrating the project as a vehicle for self-expression and an opportunity for marginalised voices to be heard.”
For Bryony, The Red Dress exhibition symbolises the direction of travel for the museum, as she explains: “This world class cultural happening in deepest, darkest January affirms the quality of the exhibitions and events we aim to bring to Cornwall to enrich the lives of our communities. As we continue to plan for the final phase of the museum’s transformation, we are striving to create a museum for Cornwall looks confidently outwards to the world, as well as proudly celebrating Cornish identity, history, and culture.”
Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery
Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery is a registered charity (Registered Charity Number 1150749)
Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery in the heart of Truro is home to a treasure trove of art and artefacts shedding light on what makes Cornwall such a unique and special place. As well as the permanent collections, the museum has an exciting and diverse programme of exhibitions to discover each year.
An Annual Pass costs £10, while members and Under 18s are free.
The Red Dress
The Red Dress is an award-winning collaborative embroidery project conceived by British artist Kirstie Macleod. Created over 14 years from 2009 to 2023, the project provided an artistic platform for people around the world — many of whom are vulnerable, marginalised, or living in poverty — to share their stories through the universal language of stitch.
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