Baylines – Amanda Weston

I grew up in the north-east of England and can recall a new Proddy Mat appearing in front of my Auntie’s hearth each spring, with the old Proddy mat being relegated to the back door. Each new Proddy Mat was my Auntie’s ‘labour of love’ during the winter months. A Proddy mat is a collection of old things made into something beautiful and serviceable too. My Auntie used old woollen clothes that had, doubtless, been worn for many years.
I have always wanted to create a Proddy Mat and this exhibition has given me that space. I taught myself Proddy by researching traditional methods and techniques. I was gifted the materials from creative and supportive people, a big thank you to them, I do hope they enjoy seeing the end result here now. The mainly tweed mixed with a few all wool ‘rags’ were offcuts from textile crafters, the hessian backing a used coffee bag, the buttons from my mum’s old button tin, the Proddies were hand carved from old dolly pegs (and have become part of the artwork), and the hanger a piece of driftwood from Arnside beach.
The Proddy Mat took many hours to create, and I can appreciate how it was, traditionally, a winter’s work. I have made my Proddy Mat into a wall hanging, it gives me joy at home every day.