Threads of Survival

Image: James Mulkeen courtesy of Flux Rotherham

8 December 2023 – 9 February 2024

Threads of Survival continues the proud tradition of documenting important historical events and protest in quilts and textiles. In August 2020 999 Call for the NHS, a national group which campaigns for the restoration of a public, comprehensive and universal health service, made an open invitation for people to sew their experiences of pandemic life and death, and to reflect on the importance of the NHS in our lives. Both professional artists and first time quilters quickly got to work. Chrissie Parker, coordinator of the Kirklees quilt, said:

Threads of Survival helped people in my local community to find connections with one another. Everyone who took part found it helpful during such a difficult and stressful time. And it was and is, an opportunity to speak out with other people and communities across the country.

Produced since the onset of the pandemic by NHS campaigners and members of the public, the quilts combine craft and activism as a way for makers, audiences and authorities alike to reckon with Covid-19, and the effects on the public and the NHS of the government’s response to the virus. A powerful collection, the resulting quilts and textile art pieces have been made by hundreds of people across England from East Anglia, West & South Yorkshire, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Somerset, Cornwall, Devon, County Durham, Surrey, London, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham. A selection of 15 quilts can be seen in the gallery at The Point in Doncaster from 8 December 2023 until 9 February 2024.

For more information visit the Threads of Survival website.

Gallery at The Point opening times

Our Gallery is at the heart of the building and inspires children, families and adults to be creative – whether you are visiting independently or are taking part in the many activities that happen within the Gallery space. Click here for opening times.

All exhibitions are open to the public, but we do sometimes close the space for events, or you may visit at a time when creative activity is taking place so the space might be noisier than you expect!

Please do phone 01302 341662 before visiting to check what’s on – especially if you are travelling in to Doncaster.