A new art installation in Macclesfield is hoping to inspire curiosity and creativity in visitors.

The Jacquard Exhibition, created by Linda Leeson and Marion Waszkowycz, is now on display at the Silk Museum's Corridor Gallery.

All of the works have been inspired by patterns on the Jacquard cards - paper punch cards used in 19^th century Joseph Marie Jacquard looms to automate the weaving of intricate patterns and designs.

"We fundamentally hope that interest in Jacquard and the weaving process sparks interest or curiosity in a way that is different," said Linda.

Marion added: "I think people might well be inspired themselves to do something creative.

"So we're just showing this is what we've done, and maybe somebody else will go off and do something themselves, which would be great."

The exhibition is located in the museum's Corridor Gallery The Jacquard Exhibition, created by Linda Leeson and Marion Waszkowycz, is now on display at the Silk Museum (Credit: Hannah Cochrane)

The pair, who both volunteer as History Hunters at the Silk Museum, were motivated to create the Jacquard Exhibition following the success of their debut show, People of Paradise, which ran in the autumn of 2024.

advertisement

"The initial idea came from that, and then both of us have taken the idea and expanded it so that we've got a lot more ideas and managed to do a lot more pieces than we could for that original exhibition," Marion explained.

Marion said both she and Linda were driven by the 'underlying long-lasting need to do something creative'.

When considering how to ensure the process was collaborative, the two used the common motif of circles and holes in their art pieces, which correspond with the design on the Jacquard cards.

"We wanted to duplicate each other, we wanted to complement each other," Linda said.

Marion added: "My pieces are much more literal because that's just how I am, and I actually tried to make it less literal, but I found myself just going back to doing direct pictures of things.

"Whereas with Linda's process, I think as she's progressed and developed through the different pieces that she's done, she's actually got further away from the original Jacquard."

The works have been inspired by patterns on the Jacquard cards (Credit: Hannah Cochrane)

The materials used in the artworks include textiles, paint, paper and card. Linda and Marion made use of recycled material wherever possible.

advertisement

"I just love making things out of nothing," Marion explained, adding that her parents were from the 'make do and mend' generation, influencing the way she was raised.

Using recycled materials that would otherwise be thrown away 'adds to the enjoyment' of Marion's artistic process, she says..

The Jacquard Exhibition is free-to-enter and runs until Saturday, April 25.