DUNDEE’S V&A has launched a national appeal looking for everyday tartan objects to feature in an exhibition opening next year.
Tartan will run from April 1 2023 to January 14 2024 and explore one of the world’s best-known textiles.
It aims to celebrate the global story of a unique pattern which expresses Scottish traditions, revolt and diversity.
V&A Dundee’s assistant curator James Wylie said: “Tartan is an incredible pattern and textile that has travelled the world. We think it’s arguably the world’s most instantly recognisable textile and it has a close relationship to so many people’s identities.
“We are hugely excited to see what people have in their homes, and to hear stories of all the different things tartan means to people.”
The exhibition will be the first on the textile in living memory.
Items could range from a tartan picnic blanket, punk clothing from the 1970s or a kilt worn by a member of the Tartan Army journeying to Scotland football matches.
Wylie continued: “From all the submissions we receive, the museum’s Young People Collective will make a selection of objects to add to the Tartan exhibition, with contributors being able to see their very own tartan treasures on display at V&A Dundee next year.
“Tartan has a complex, rich and a times painful history unequalled by any other cloth or pattern. It is a textile that is adored and derided, inspiring great works of art and design and together represents conflicting meanings in unity and dissent, tradition and rebellion.”
“Tartan has become a global symbol of unity and revolution, and the exhibition will explore the incredible impact that the textile has had on fashion and design around the world up to the present day.”
Everyone is invited to email tartanproject@vandadundee.org to share their story.
