Local MP Praises Creative Work
Local MP Alyn Smith has celebrated the recent showing of work in the V&A South Kensington by constituent and master weaver Louise Trotter. The tapestry triptych piece, ‘The Edinburgh Seven Tapestry’, was created in celebration and memory of the first women who attended university in the United Kingdom.
In 1869 seven women matriculated as medical students at the University of Edinburgh. Although their own campaign to allow women to become qualified doctors was unsuccessful, they gained national fame and are credited to the eventual creation of The Medical Act of 1876. This allowed women the right to become licensed doctors. The Edinburgh Seven were eventually awarded posthumously medical degrees by the university in 2019, on the 150th anniversary of their matriculation.
Designed by Christine Borland and produced under Dovecot studios, Louise was one of seven weavers who created this wonderful and inspiring piece. Overall, it took the team over 4,000 hours and 90,500 metres of yarn to create.
The Edinburgh Seven Tapestry will be on display in the V&A South Kensington’s Medieval & Renaissance Galleries from the 8th of March to the 27th of May 2024. After this it will go on to be displayed long-term from this summer at the University of Edinburgh’s Edinburgh Future Institute.
Stirling MP Alyn Smith said:
“I am proud to represent a constituency full of such local talent and to see this recognised nationally is fantastic. Louise and the Dovecot studios team have created an inspiring piece about an incredibly important part of Scottish and Women’s history that deserves to be recognised and applauded. Stirling is home to a thriving creative sector, with community institutions such as Creative Stirling, the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum and the Engine Shed all contributing to Stirling’s love of art, history and culture.”
Notes
Pictured is the The Edinburgh Seven Tapestry
