Carpet factory's history to be reflected in new exhibition by Waterford artist

Greywood Arts in partnership with artist Katie Nolan present The Knot On The Fly, an exhibition reflecting on the rich history and cultural legacy of the Youghal Carpets factory. The exhibition will take place at The Mall Arts Centre in Youghal, opening on 14th March and running to 23rd March.

The exhibition is the culmination of a collaborative project with former workers of the renowned textile factory and their families, offering a poignant exploration of its socio-economic, cultural, and artistic impact. Through video, installation, 3D prints, letterpress, printmaking and sculpture, The Knot On The Fly considers the nature of modern technology and the diminishing role of touch and manual skill in contemporary life. At the heart of the work is the concept of the human hand as technology, drawing parallels between traditional craftsmanship and the digital age.

Speaking at the launch of the exhibition, Greywood Arts Creative Director Jessica Bonenfant said: “Youghal Carpets was such a huge part of the local community and economy in East Cork for many decades, and its closure in 1984 had such a significant impact on the socio-economic fabric of East Cork." 

"This exhibition celebrates the workers of Youghal Carpets. By offering ways to reconnect with one another through workshops in papermaking and weaving, storytelling, and hand-casting, artist Katie Nolan combines their stories and shared experiences into a poignant and important creative expression through The Knot on the Fly exhibition," she added.

"We invite everyone to come along and experience this unique exhibition.” 

Katie Nolan, a multidisciplinary artist based in West Waterford, explores the intersections of art, environment, and technology. 

Her work is driven by a fundamental interest in how human interaction with technology shapes cultural and sensory experiences.

Over a number of months last year, events were organised at Greywood Arts in Killeagh, for former workers at Youghal Carpets from both Youghal and Carrigtohill factories, who came armed with precious memorabilia, old wool and jute, photographs and documents from their Youghal Carpets days. 

Katie felt compelled to honour these keepsakes and to record the workers anecdotal stories. A papermaking workshop ensued whereby photocopies of these items along with unspun old Youghal Carpet wool were re-contextualised into new handmade sheets of paper. 

The recorded memories of the workers will be printed onto these handmade papers, a potent gesture to embed the words of the workers within some of the original fibres from the factory.

The handcasting workshops at Greywood Arts saw 42 hands cast in plaster, to represent the role of the 42 workers that were needed to prepare the looms before the machine could weave a carpet.

“My intention is to make a faithful and potent representation of the manual skill and labour that was part of the Youghal Carpet workforce. The sculptures form part of the exhibition alongside a multi screen video installation exploring various aspects of the workers tasks, memories and experiences,” said artist Katie Nolan.

The public is invited to attend the official opening on Friday, March 14, from 5pm. Additionally a conversation with the artist will take place on Saturday, March 15, at 12 noon, offering further insight into the research, artistic process, and community collaboration behind the exhibition. 

The exhibition will be open daily from 10.30am to 4.30pm daily until March 23.