Alice Fox: Flaxen

21 Jun-31 Aug 2025

Overview

Flaxen is an exhibition that showcases the artwork Alice Fox has made with materials collected and grown at Kestle Barton over the last two years.

During the growing season of 2024 a crop of flax (Linum usitatissimum) was grown in the almost enclosed circle at the end of the meadow at Kestle Barton. This was a communal activity, overseen by Alice, with help from Kestle Barton staff and a changing team of volunteers. Sowing, tending, harvesting, retting, and processing were undertaken, resulting in fibres for spinning, as well as flax plants dried at different stages for use later on.

During the year Alice visited Kestle Barton in each season, spending time in residence. Each visit added to Alice’s experience and understanding of the place and the materials available for weaving and construction of surfaces and structures. Alice gathered materials in each season and made botanical inks during each visit, building up a place-based colour chart and a library of materials with which to work.