A visit to Winifred Nicholson, Rag Rugs at MIMA, Middlesbrough
I had the absolute pleasure of visiting the current exhibition ‘Winifred Nicholson, Rag Rugs’ at MIMA, Middlesbrough. I was aware of the of Nicholson’s (1893-1981) paintings and drawings, but prior to the exhibition I had no knowledge of her significant and committed involvement with rag rugs and working towards a revival of this craft in North England.
The exhibition is a tender exploration of 28 rag rugs from the 1920s – 1970s made by Winifred herself in her home of Cumbria, alongside rag rugs made by family members and a group of women near Hadrian’s Wall that she brought together to make rugs from her and their own designs.
There is a clear voice in each of the works, in the way they draw with the fabric placement, scale and colour, as well as the overall design or ‘picture’ the maker creates. In many cases, original drawings and sketches are shown to demonstrate the skilled transformation from drawing to rug. There is a clear intimacy and domesticity to the textile artworks. I was left wondering how the clothes or garments were collected, and what they were, as well as the cosy interior scene I imagined where the rugs were made.
Rag rugs, sometimes going by the names of clippy mats, hooky rugs or proggy mats, are sturdy rugs that were made in Northern England in the early 20th century, more often found in rural areas and mining villages. The rugs provided warmth on cold floors and were even used as rugs on bedding. Discarded textiles from clothes, interior textiles and workwear were cut into strips and pushed or pulled through a piece of hessian held on a frame, sometimes made by multiple people at a time.
The variety of rag rugs at MIMA really demonstrated the potential of this medium and the different ways in which it can be translated by a range of makers. There can be a perception of rag rugging that it is very ordinary or plain looking as it uses discarded textiles out of necessity. However, these textile works are accomplished and exquisite in both style and technique.
The exhibition was curated in partnership with art historian Jovan Nicholson, who has authored a new book, Winifred Nicholson: Cumbrian Rag Rugs, Paul Holberton Publishing.
You can visit ‘Winifred Nicholson: Cumbrian Rag Rugs’ at MIMA, Middlesbrough until 23rd March 2025.