Legroom Hanging

Artist Freddie Robins (London, England, born 1965)

Date1999

Object NameHanging

Mediummachine knitted wool

ClassificationsTextiles

AcquisitionPresented in 2001 by the Contemporary Art Society.

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG011157

Keywords

Craft

About MeNow based in London, Robins studied Fashion and Textiles at Middlesex University and also at the Royal College of Art, London. For eight years she worked freelance for the Orkney design group, Tait & Style.

The female obsession with 'usefulness' is a strong sub-text in Robins’ exploration of textiles. Recent work also develops themes of distortion and deformity. Seemingly ordinary machine knitted jumpers sprout a sleeve instead of a neck, or, as here, arms which become legs; they are imperfect and unsuitable for use. Robins prompts us to recall images of the freak show and questions the possible disasters of human genetic engineering. Although disturbing, there is an underlying wit and humour in this visual trickery.