Artist Ms Walker, a recent graduate, is participating in the 29th annual Three Counties art exhibition. Her work, titled 'Factory Worker's Jacket,' explores the loss of traditional craftsmanship in north Staffordshire, focusing on the pottery industry in Stoke-on-Trent and the silk and natural dye industry in Leek. The piece uses vintage and naturally dyed fabrics patchworked together, distressed, and visibly mended to tell the story of pottery makers working in dangerous factory conditions and constantly repairing their worn uniforms. The free exhibition features a diverse mix of art, including paintings, photography, and a motorbike installation, and is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00 to 15:00 BST.
This matters because the exhibition highlights regional artistic talent and addresses the decline of traditional crafts in industrial areas like Stoke-on-Trent, connecting contemporary art to local heritage and economic history. By showcasing works that reflect on craftsmanship and labor, the event fosters community engagement with art and preserves cultural narratives that might otherwise be forgotten.