New free Macclesfield art exhibition celebrates female family-trees

By Alex Greensmith

19th Sep 2024 | Local News

Be quick! There is just a few days left to see the new Macclesfield exhibition. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)
Be quick! There is just a few days left to see the new Macclesfield exhibition. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

There is a new free art exhibition on Jordangate.

The Women's Line is an installation of female-only family trees, located upstairs in Macclesfield Library.

Organisers say each family tree has been designed 'to hang by gold pegs like precious washing from a handspun silk cord'.

Macclesfield: Have you been to see it? (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

The exhibition details thirty locally-raised females, of contrasting and diverse backgrounds, to create elaborate portraits of how each one came to be here in Macclesfield in 2024.

The catalyst for the installation came from research by Artist and Activist, Tyra Till. Looking into her own ancestry, it became clear that as family surnames go down the male line, women's stories and connections were much less obvious.

Holding the idea that perhaps other women would value making portraits of their foremothers, the project was born.

Wow-wee! (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

With the support of Maccreate (a unique Macclesfield organisation promoting creative collaborations between community and professional artists), Tyra was able to lead 54 workshop sessions with diverse local groups of different ages and different backgrounds, to explore their ancestry.

Macccreate recently received £2950, as part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, as detailed in THIS Macclesfield Nub News article.

"Once I decided to focus on my female ancestors I suddenly had a new perspective on my heritage," said Tyra.

Women of all ages participated in the project. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Free female-focused events will also be held across the town, during the exhibition period.

"I could never have imagined the connections and friendships that would develop.

"Bringing artists and non-artists together is such a rewarding experience."

The exhibition will also be at The Silk Museum, of old Park Lane. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

And given the silk like structures used to weave the family tree together, it is only fitting that free the exhibition should also get a turn at The Silk Museum.

The Women's Line can also be seen during opening hours in Macclesfield Silk Museum main gallery, from now until October 5.

The Macclesfield Library part of the exhibit will run until September 28.

The exhibition is spread across two historic Macclesfield venues. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Please be aware, the opening hours to Macclesfield Library may have changed since your last visit.

     

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