The Whitworth Art Gallery Exhibition: Althea McNish - Colour is Mine & Visit to Selfridges


Althea McNish (1924- 2020) drew on her African-Caribbean heritage to inform her designs. The exhibition is a collection of dazzling energetic colour. 












Whilst visiting her tutor Edward Bawden she saw a wheat field for the first time. I t reminded her of the sugar cane plantations that grew on the island of Trinidad and Tobago.

She used the wheat motif in Golden Harvest - her first design for commercial design company Hull Traders. The lines are dynamic and capture the movement of  the wheat stalks ripening in the hot bright summer sun.





"Everything I did, I saw it through a tropical eye."

Althea McNish, 2015


An exhibition that is uplifting and energising.



 
A stunning dress in beautiful fabric. This dress could be worn today (2023) and not be out of place. It is vibrant. with a modern feel. The design has an energetic colour palette printed onto cotton.
A Visit to Selfridges Manchester
Perusing dresses in Selfridges I came upon a striking dress. This was a Monument tulip Maxi dress with thin rouleu shoulder straps in 69% linen and 31% viscose. It was lined and had pockets. It had a lovely drape and soft hand. The colour was described as vivid camellia.

Although made of modern materials and different styling one cannot help but feel the enduring influence of McNish in the fabric design and colourway.


















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