Open Studio and Weaving Workshop

East London’s FLOOR_STORY hosts an exhibition of new designs, with demonstrations and workshops exploring craftsmanship and design processes found in rug making. ‘Duct’ and ‘Allotment’ are 2 new collections, developed in-house and made by the skilled weavers of FLOOR_STORY’s partners across India, Afghanistan and Nepal. Allotment by Gill Thorpe, in collaboration with Turquoise Mountain 'Allotment' is a series of vibrant, floral- inspired designs created in collaboration with the charity Turquoise Mountain and a female weaving collective, protected by the charity, which strives to support localised craft and tradition in Afghanistan and the Middle East. The hand-knotted rugs are vintage in style and feature traditional medallion and quad motifs, brought into a modern and vibrant context, with bold colour combinations and a beautiful, textured aesthetic. Each of the 4 rugs in the 'Allotment' series, showcases traditional hand-knotted techniques, woven with high-quality Ghazni wool, a regional wool known for its curled texture. The rugs feature a grainy effect when dyed, adding a distinct character to the weave. Duct by Bek Smith ‘Duct’ by Bek Smith is a graphically inspired rug available in handwoven and tufted constructs, with a surface pattern drawn from shapes and shades found when sticking tape is scrunched into a three-dimensional textural surface. The patterns of ‘Duct’ are borne from Smith’s experimentation with duct tape, which involved manipulating the material to form a hyper-textural surface. It was through this process that Smith observed the interplay of shadows created from the creases, using this to form the striking graphic composition. ‘Duct was born from a moment of play that I wanted to carry into larger spaces, in a way that feels stylised yet approachable. The design is a subversion of a material found everyday into a decorative and functional handmade rug.’ Bek Smith The tonal colorways of ‘Duct’ - neutral browns, acidic greens, and forest greens - create an unusual, pleasing blend, while the contrasting purple and green colourways accentuate the composition. Weaving Workshop with Basketry To bring visitors closer to the handmade nature of rug-making, FLOOR_STORY is hosting a weaving workshop in collaboration with La Basketry. Attendees will have the opportunity to create a colourful coaster to take home, using the same wool yarns employed in the rug-making process. The workshop offers a unique insight into traditional handmade techniques, while also providing a mindful, creative experience and the chance to connect with fellow craft enthusiasts! ABOUT GILL THORPE Working as the designer for FLOOR_STORY, Gill’s portfolio spans across several collections; the ridge and trough inspired Rigg & Furrow, the subtle gradient Diffuse and the irregularly bordered Curb. As well as her core collections, Gill works with clients on residential and trade projects, designing from briefs to create large scale artworks suited for various interior environments. When it comes to colour, Gill takes a methodical approach with influence spanning across photography, history and fashion, devising and developing palettes through her study of colour psychology. ABOUT BEK SMITH With a background in textile design and set production, DUCT rug designer Bek Smith combines process with everyday materials to recontextualise craft. Bek’s approach to process includes an interplay between 3D modelling and research and has used these methods to develop fashion, costume and accessory pieces as well as exhibition spaces. Such work includes Break Factor, an immersive textile installation at the East Space Gallery which was noted as one of Time Out’s top exhibitions to see in the Summer of 2019.