Second Sitters Upholstery: Evolution to Revolution

Upholstery: Evolution to Revolution explores the evolution and new revolution within the craft of upholstery.

Generously supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, the exhibition features work from UK based upholsterers who are redefining the traditional preconceived role of the upholsterer, combining traditional craft skills with contemporary thinking.

Taking the form of a physical timeline the exhibition maps the changes and developments within the craft to include techniques, materials and upholsterer’s stories. The works included are multidisciplinary; furniture, photography, film and are used to explore activism, social commentary, materiality and the throwaway culture.

Second Sitters is Hannah Stanton and Jude Dennis, both practising upholsterers. Together they promote independent UK and international upholsterers through publications, exhibitions, collaborative working and education days.

Featured upholsterers include:

Jude Dennis, Hannah Stanton, Polly Granville, Miss Pokeno, Electra Read-Dagg, Mick Sheridan, Rachael South & Michael Brown, Alex Law, Vanessa Butt, Josie Ainscough, Sonia White (White Bespoke), Pia St. John, Bettina Langlois (Bette Noire), David Heke, Anita Vozic and Eleanor Bemand