Lace Unveiled: Score for Newstead Abbey, 2018

Lace Unveiled: Shane Waltener Outdoors: Score for Newstead Abbey, 2018 Baler twine Inside: He Slept Standing up, 2018 Yarn Shane Waltener draws inspiration from craft traditions, including the processes and techniques of handmade lace. His sculptures and installations often respond to a particular site and its history. Architectural features, items of furniture and elements of the surrounding landscape become anchor points for large-scale lace structures.

For Lace Unveiled* Waltener has made two new works for Newstead Abbey. In the Edward III bedroom, used by the explorer Dr David Livingstone during his visits to Newstead in the 19th century, Waltener has woven a three-dimensional web between the uprights of the sombre ‘four poster’ bed. Allowing just enough space for the occupant to crawl in and out, and perhaps prop themselves on pillows, the cloud of threads hovers above the bedcovers like a spectral presence.

Outdoors, Waltener has created a woven canopy of threads, stretched between rows of yew trees that line the route to a medieval fish pond. He was struck by how the grounds offer great vistas of the house and surrounding area but was drawn to the yew tree walk because of its contrast to the open landscape. He describes this as ‘more of an interior space, one open for contemplation, study, reflection: activities to which the Augustine Monks (who built the pond) would have dedicated their time.’ * The Lace Unveiled exhibition is part of Lace Unravelled, a season of events to celebrate Nottingham City Museums and Galleries’ world-class lace collection and Nottingham’s machine-made lace heritage.