Walls Walk Artists

By admin on June 30, 2015

Walls Walk Artists
Disparate Art
21 July – 2 August
Oxmarket Centre of the Arts

We are three friends and neighbours who live overlooking the historic wall in Chichester:

Walls Walk Artists Exhibition

Peter Stoakley – colour blind amateur photographer who “takes a good photo”

Carnavale Character

Robert Lane – creates fine impressions around Chichester

Airstream Dream

Päivi Suomi – expert weaver and felter who uses ancestral Finnish and Saami techniques in a modern context

History of the Rya Rug

Ikkuna 2015 Rya Rug

In Scandinavian countries, Rya rugs (ryijy matto) have been found dating back to the early 1400’s. They were used as blankets or sled coverings, the knotted side being closest to the body providing warmth. The Ryas at this time were mainly of natural wool colours, natural white, grey, black.

The Rya developed further with the use of colour and pattern. Decorative ryas date back to the 1700’s. In Finland, as a wedding approached, a weaver would be commissioned to weave a Rya for the young couple. The Rya was used as a prayer rug during the wedding ceremony. The bridal couple would kneel on the Rya as they exchanged their wedding vows. The colourful tapestry was then displayed in their home as a reminder of their wedding day. If one of the spouses passed away, the Rya would then be spread on the bed during the day and the Rya became known as a widow’s blanket. The Rya rug became a family heirloom to be passed on to future generations. In Finland, the commissioned weaving of a wedding Rya is still a tradition today.

In the 70’s the Rya rug again became fashionable, with designers such as Eames using bright and bold colours and pop art designs. The pile was long and shaggy. The shag rugs were used as decorative floor coverings.

An exhibition of some of my latest loom woven Rya Rugs