The Artisans of Instagram
By Eliza West, WPAMC Class of 2019
As a student at Winterthur, I have access to some truly amazing resources. First, there’s the library, with its mind-blowing collections which always manage to have just what you need (and don’t get me started on the librarians, whose knowledge of the collection means that casual chit chat often turns into research gold.) Then, of course, there is the house. 175 rooms chock full of amazing objects which I get to touch if I want to. Handling privileges is one of the core tenets of WPAMC, and every time I pick up a silver sugar bowl to see how the feet were soldered on, or pop the seat out of a 1730’s chair, to examine how the seat frame is constructed, I feel lucky. I admit, however, that I spend less time in the collections at Winterthur than I do exploring craftsmanship on another platform – Instagram.
A montage of my most recent Instagram adventuring, including a class photo, objects in Winterthur’s collection, a research trip to DC, and a handful of other beautiful or humorous moments in the life of a Winterthur Master’s fellow.
When I joined Instagram, peer-pressured by my undergrad classmates back in 2013, I never dreamt that I would use it to follow a contemporary Australian Windsor chair maker, a British historical knitter, and a museum curator who takes his followers on epic journeys to understand garments. And this is just the tip of the iceberg – Instagram lets me follow crafts people in every media, and in every part of the world. It also helps me stay connected to museums, and see the behind-the-scenes work of curators and conservators.
All of this helps me contextualize the objects in Winterthur’s collection by comparing them to contemporary makers, whose process is often on display on their Instagram accounts. Studying the work of modern artisans – especially those whose work is directly informed by the material culture of the past – is a perpetual reminder of the value of my education at Winterthur. Below is a select list of Instagram accounts that I propose as “supplemental study” for the discerning material culturalist in the age of social media.
Rundell and Rundell – This Australia-based account is all about Windsor chairs. Not only does it give you a look into Glen Rundell’s chair making workshop, you also get to follow Rundell’s adventures as he studies chairs in museum collections, and confabs with other craftspeople at events like the Lost Trades Fair.
@rundellandrundell writes: “Finishing up a Continuous Arm Chair with double bobbin turnings and one of the American Ash crests I made at @windsorchairsbydan’s back in August. Boy is that Ash nice to work with. #windsorchairmaker #windsorchair #continuousarmchair #handmade #ash #blackwood”
Sally Pointer – I know Sally Pointer’s name as the preeminent knitter of historical reproduction stockings, but her Instagram also lets you tag along as she explores the natural world for its resources: be they unsung plant fibers, natural dyes, or unusual things to eat for dinner.
@sallypointer says: “Just over four weeks ago we put the bark from a lime bough into the river to ret. With the aid of my lovely new HedgeBothering Stick we fished it out this evening and spent a smelly, slimy, but happy half hour rinsing off its new ecosystem and dividing it up into strips of bast. These can air overnight, then they have loads of uses, making cordage, binding baskets and twining bags and netting. Got lots of Neolithic projects coming up that this will be useful for. Bonus points for wandering past a pub garden full of people being civilised with us carting a drippy, whiffy bundle of bast on the end of a stick 😀 #foraging #limebast #hedgebotherer #herefordshireforaging #neolithiclife #cordage #coilbasket #primitivetechnology”
Peter Follansbee – Well-known Seventeenth-century reproduction woodworker, Peter Follansbee, can be found on Instagram these days. His account includes many short videos of him at work turning, carving, and joining green wood. (He also recently acquired a pair of kittens who make appearances from time to time.)
@peterfollansbee says: “Nailed box underway. Handmade nails are the best; blacksmiths are OK. #peterfollansbee #greenwoodworking #oakfurniture #carvedoakbox”
The Burroughs Garret – Justin Squizzero’s weaving business is run out of his beautiful 1810’s farmhouse in rural Vermont. His Instagram tells the story of his work with a rich emphasis on tradition and meaning. Scroll down to watch him develop a fly shuttle for the eighteenth-century barn loom he uses to weave.
@theburroughsgarret says: “In the Anglo-American tradition the loom is dressed from back to front. Chains of warp are spaced out in a raddle and the warp is quickly beamed. The use of sash weights to provide tension comes from Kate Smith of @eatonhilltextiles and @marshfieldschoolofweaving under whom I began training in 2007. The weights relieve the need for a second person or the impressive to watch, but challenging to execute technique of beaming and tensioning simultaneously, a feat performed by her (and my) teacher, Norman Kennedy. #weave #weaving #handweaving #handwoven #handcrafted #handmade #loom #barnloom #handloom #flyshuttle #textiles #textileterroir #rootedinplace #ruralindustry #craft #interiordesign #fashiondesign #custommade #bespoke #madesmall #madeinvermont #madeinamerica #vermont #newengland #theburroughsgarret #loomdressing”
Brooklyn Lace Guild – The Brooklyn Lace Guild is hip, contemporary, and all about bobbin lace. Check out their account for a refreshing combination of modern making and museum objects. This guild really succeeds in making this old craft cool.
@brooklynlaceguild says: “Several of our members are getting excited for the Brugge World Lace Congress later this month. Who will we see there?? And who will be at the OIDFA Congress in Zandam, The Netherlands? So many great lace events in August this year!”
Timothy Lang Fashion Curator – The Museum of London’s fashion curator has a unique style of videography, and a playful sense of humor, which he uses to highlight some of the more fascinating aspects of garments as he prepares them for display. This is one of my all-time favorite museum accounts.
@timothylongfashioncurator says: “I’m really enjoying this project. I’m also very pleased with how the undersleeve is turning out for the archeress. 4 attempts later and we have an undersleeve that supports the shape of the jacket’s sleeve and has a deep cuff for the leather brace (just visible in the image). A beautiful white linen has been chosen (thank you @artfund donors!) for the sleeve, which I will now cut and sew. Can’t wait! #archery #archer #archeryseason #bowandarrow #victorian #hoopskirt #crinoline #archeress #womeninsport #conservation #behindthescenes #curator #fashion #history #london #fashionhistory #cotton #crowdfunding #exhibition #artfund #beard #measure”
Marsh’s Library – one of many rare books libraries I follow, Marsh’s Library posts fun and playful images from exquisite books. Get your early modern marginalia fix here.
@marshslibrary says: “When you’re reading in the #16thcentury and you want to point out an important passage and you are very artistically inclined #manicule #marginalia #rarebooks #specialcollections”
Material Culture Winterthur – I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention WPAMC’s own Instagram. Follow to get a look at what the fellows are working on!
@materialculturewinterthur says: “After a year of intensive connoisseurship training at the home base, WPAMC rising second year fellows are now out in the field, spending their summers traveling near and far to research their thesis topics. Stay tuned for a series of posts about their [COOL] projects! – Under the loupe: Inspecting a hand-colored engraving by the eighteenth-century chinoiserie artist Jean Pillement in the Winterthur prints study room.”
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