Not currently on display at the V&A

Hanging

2000 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This hanging was the second in a series of commissions by the Worshipful Company of Weavers, the oldest of all the City of London Livery companies whose history can be traced back to the early 12th century. The Company continues to uphold tradition, whilst supporting and promoting the modern textile industry and craft. Any current, final year student in the School of Textiles at the Royal College of Art or any recent graduate is eligible to apply for the commission, which hangs initially in the offices of the Company before coming on loan to the V&A. Born in Japan, Kana Watanabe graduated in Textiles from Goldsmith's College before studying for an M.A. in Constructed Textiles (Weave) at the Royal College of Art. The hanging was inspired by old and modern buildings, and was hand woven in double cloth so that each side is a different colour. The choice of colours and materials also come from a mixture of past and present. Blue and silver are taken from the new building image; gold, copper, mauve, deep red, green and light green are taken from old architecture.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Hanging
  • Hanging
  • Hanging
Materials and techniques
woven silk, cotton, polyester, mohair, viscose, metallic thread
Brief description
Hanging; woven silk, cotton, polyester, mohair, viscose and metallic thread hanging, designed and woven by Kana Watanabe, Japanese, 2000
Physical description
Three panelled woven hanging
Dimensions
  • Part one height: 189cm
  • Part one width: 52cm
  • Part two height: 189cm
  • Part two width: 52cm
  • Part three height: 187cm
  • Part three width: 52cm
Each of the three panels has a sleeve top and bottom which holds a perspex rod
Production typeUnique
Gallery label
This is the second commission by the Worshipful Company of Weavers currently on loan to the V&A. Born in Japan, Watanabe graduated in Textiles from Goldsmiths College before studying for an M.A in Constructed Textiles (Weave) at the Royal College of Art. The hanging was inspired by old and modern buildings, and was hand woven in double cloth so that each side is a different colour. The choice of colours and materials also came from the mixture of past and present. Blue and silver are taken from the new building image; gold, copper, mauve, deep red, green and light green are taken from old architecture.
Credit line
Given by the Worshipful Company of Weavers
Object history
The Worshipful Company of Weavers commisions a modern wall hanging/piece of textile art for its offices in the City of London bi-annually and invites current and recent students of the School of Textiles at the Royal College of Art to submit their ideas and portfolios with a view to one of them being selected to undertake the submission. The designs are considered by representatives of the Company, the RCA and the V&A. Although initially the commissioned piece hangs in the Company's offices, or lent on exhibition, it is then given on long-term loan to the V&A, eventually to form a collection with other previous and subsequent commissions to build a representative collection of the work of newly graduated students.

On long term loan to the V&A 2002 - 2015 [2001/256]; given to the Museum in 2015 [2015/416].

Historical significance: The charter for the Worshipful Company of Weavers was granted by Henry II in 1155 making it the earliest Livery Company in the City of London. It was the first textile guild. Since then the Mercers, Drapers, Merchant Taylors, Haberdashers and Clothworkers have been set up.
Historical context
The Weaver's Company is the oldest of all the city of London Livery companies, and has a long history stretching back to the early 12th century. It continues to uphold the traditions of the Company and of the City of London, whilst supporting and promoting the modern textile industry and craft.
Production
Born in Japan, Kana gained a BA in Textiles from Goldsmiths College before studying for an MA in Constructed Textiles (Weave) at the Royal College of Art. The piece is the first commission undertaken by Kana since her graduation from the RCA

Reason For Production: Commission
Association
Summary
This hanging was the second in a series of commissions by the Worshipful Company of Weavers, the oldest of all the City of London Livery companies whose history can be traced back to the early 12th century. The Company continues to uphold tradition, whilst supporting and promoting the modern textile industry and craft. Any current, final year student in the School of Textiles at the Royal College of Art or any recent graduate is eligible to apply for the commission, which hangs initially in the offices of the Company before coming on loan to the V&A. Born in Japan, Kana Watanabe graduated in Textiles from Goldsmith's College before studying for an M.A. in Constructed Textiles (Weave) at the Royal College of Art. The hanging was inspired by old and modern buildings, and was hand woven in double cloth so that each side is a different colour. The choice of colours and materials also come from a mixture of past and present. Blue and silver are taken from the new building image; gold, copper, mauve, deep red, green and light green are taken from old architecture.
Collection
Accession number
T.38:1 to 3-2015

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Record createdApril 5, 2005
Record URL
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