Anne Kelly

I was honoured and delighted to have been approached by the engagement team at Jodrell Bank to produce a commissioned piece for their 80th Anniversary this year. It is a remarkable and important site, connected to the University of Manchester.

Together with the staff at the centre, we are seeking to make a community quilt with contributions from anyone who is interested.

Specifications:

As we mark 80 years of discovery, exploration, and connection with the universe, we invite the public to join us in a celebratory project – Cosmic Threads – a community quilt inspired by the celestial marvels that Jodrell Bank has uncovered.

We are calling on individuals and groups to create a 23 cm x 23 cm (plus a 2cm border for piecing) textile panel that reflects the themes of Jodrell Bank’s extraordinary history and its ongoing contributions to our understanding of the universe. Each square will become a part of the larger quilt, embodying the spirit of Jodrell Bank’s 80-year journey.

Themes to Inspire Your Creation:

To kickstart your creativity, take a look at our mood board (below) and these four conceptual ideas:

• Waves of Discovery: Explore the unseen forces that shape our universe – radio waves, gravitational waves, and the power of discovery. Imagine the quiet hum of the Lovell Telescope as it listens to distant stars, or the moment a scientific breakthrough ripples through time and space.
• The Cosmic Connection: Create a visual representation of the vast, interconnected web of the universe. Think of the intricate ways celestial bodies interact, from distant galaxies to the small interactions between particles, reflecting the unity of all things in the cosmos.
• Wonder and Curiosity: Celebrate the awe that Jodrell Bank has inspired in those who’ve listened to its discoveries. Let your piece reflect the sense of wonder that has driven generations of scientists to reach for the stars.
• Signal from the Stars: Consider the role of the telescope as a powerful instrument that bridges the gap between the Earth and the universe. Your piece could represent the telescope’s lens, capturing the universe’s beauty in a singular, focused view.

For further information have a look at the website.

There is also an exhibition A Stitch in Space Time on with quilts from the Royal Astronomical Society from 17 May – 29 June.

I’m looking forward to seeing the ideas that everyone comes up with!