Allistair Covell (Digswell Arts fellow artist based in Farmhouse, Stevenage) has been invited, alongside 37 international textile designers, to take part in the Cambrian Mountains Wool International Design & Make Challenge 2015. The Challenge is a fantastic initiative that has given the selected designers the unique opportunity to work with 100% Welsh wool from the Cambrian Mountains.

Allistair’s entry is called Digital Stitch, a wool textile artwork installation that has been specially created for the Challenge in collaboration with the internationally renowned print company Think Positive.

Digital Stitch is an innovative example of fusing the old with the new in a dynamic fashion as the richly coloured artwork is the result of combining traditional woven wool production techniques with the latest cutting edge digital printing technology.

The surface design is a digitally printed photograph of an enlarged section of one of Allistair’s hand stitched ‘paintings’. Inspired by the chipped layers of the paint found on the hulls of wooden boats, Digital Stitch has been intentionally printed to leave areas of the original heavy twill weave exposed to give the appearance that it has been worn away over time. The design also created a striking visual illusion as from a distance the colourful pattern will look like it has actually been stitched into the welsh wool. Digital Stitch will only reveal its secret on closer inspection…

Cambrian Mountains Wool is an initiative of the Cambrian Mountain Farmers CIC, supported by its patron, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, in order to raise awareness amongst consumers about the unique, natural and sustainable benefits offered by wool. Encouraging collaboration between the community of wool producers, designers, retailers, manufacturers, artisans and interior designers living within the Cambrian Mountain region of mid-Wales, the Campaign aims to educate producers and consumers about the versatility of wool, and reconnecting them with its myriad uses.

The Cambrian Mountains Wool Challenge Exhibition opens it’s UK tour with the first show taking place at the Hay Festival in Hay-on-Wye, Wales from the 21st to the 31st May 2015.

Highlights of the exhibition tour later in the year include a show during the London Design Festival from the 18th – 25th September 2015 at the London Welsh Centre and at The Contemporary Craft Fair: Made by Hand Wales in Cardiff from 30th October to the 1st November 2015.

For more information on the Challenge please visit http://cambrianmountainswool.org/2015-challenge/