Threads and Yarns: Personal accounts of health and wellbeing from the last 75 years
The participants discussed their personal experiences of health and wellbeing spanning 75 years, and in doing so explored changes in many areas of public health.
This vibrant project promotes intergenerational conversation around biomedical themes. While participants engaged in creative making they shared their personal histories. These narratives enable researchers in science, history of medicine and medical humanities to examine and develop connections and accounts of specific and general biomedical advances.
As part of Threads and Yarns, seniors and students created individual material artefacts using traditional craft techniques. These objects combine to create a single glorious piece that communicates the inter-woven narratives that emerged during the workshops. The design of the large-scale piece is inspired by decorative elements from the V&A’s collection, and it will be loaned to institutions as part of the Wellcome Trust’s celebrations.
A Threads and Yarns Display Day event was held at the V&A on 18 July 2011. The audience heard first hand accounts from many of those involved in the workshops, including seniors and historians. There were also opportunities for everyone to try their hand at craft skills throughout the day, plus the inspiring work created during the earlier workshops was displayed.