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Constance Howard Resource and Research Centre for Textiles (CHRRCT)

Archive, 2000-2010

This is the archive of the web page for the CHRRCT, which existed from 2000-2010. In late 2010, the Library at Goldsmiths took over management of the Goldsmiths Textile Collection and Constance Howard Gallery and Professor Janis Jefferies, former Director of the CHRRCT, became Research Fellow in the Constance Howard Gallery and Textile Collection.

For information about the Textile Collection at Goldsmiths and the current programme in the Constance Howard Gallery, please view the current web site at http://www.golds.ac.uk/textile-collection

The CHRRCT was a leading centre for the study, promotion and dissemination of the collections held, and we are proud that its legacy continues. For ten years the Centre documented, promoted and fostered the pioneering history of textiles at Goldsmiths from the 1940s to the present. Working with alumni, contemporary practitioners, museologists, curators, writers, performers, oral historians, anthropologists and technologists on the generation, presentation and promotion of textiles as a primary source of cultural knowledge and heritage in the UK, and internationally. This was done through an exploration of historical and contemporary textile practices throughout the globe, establishing a legacy of multi-faceted research from many different perspectives.

Links to current website

New Textile Collection homepage

Current exhibitions in the Constance Howard Gallery and Library

The Christine Risley Award

The first Christine Risley Award was given in 2005 to Naoki Hamaguchi ('Stitching'), in 2007 to Linda Litchfield's ( 'Hunter' and 'Innocence' ) in 2008 to Paul Dearman for his work 'To the End', an image of Constance Howard as Britannia, and to Susie Vickery for 'On the Melancholy of tailors' in 2009.

2010 Award Winner

Goldsmiths graduate Lenka Horakova for 'Ideology' and 'After the Fall'

The award consists of:

A cash prize of £500

an exhibition of the successful work in the Constance Howard Resource and Research Centre Gallery and the Knitting and Stitching Show.

A further exhibition of new work in the CHRRCT gallery and exhibition at the following year's Knitting and Stitching Show

Exhibitions

Exhibitions of Lenka's work will be held in the Constance Howard Centre for Textiles later in the year, but there is a presentation and special event on Thursday 11th November 2010, from 6-8pm.

The Centre is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10.00am to 4.30pm and on Mondays by appointment.

Phone: 0207 717 2210
Email: connitex@gold.ac.uk
Address: The Constance Howard Resource & Research Centre in Textiles
Goldsmiths
University of London
Deptford Town Hall Building
New Cross Road
LONDON
SE14 6AF

A map of Goldsmiths and travel information can be accessed on the Goldsmiths website: www.goldsmiths.ac.uk/find-us

About The Christine Risley Award
Christine Risley was a key member of Constance Howard's remarkable department of textile from its beginning in 1948. Christine retired in 1990 and died in 2003. Her special collection of clothes were donated to the Centre to be sold to raise the initial amount to provide a purchasing fund for the CHRRCT Material Collection.

The Centre's collection is based on the development of contemporary textiles through education during the 20th Century and beyond. A broad historical and cultural mix, that incorporates Constance Howard's personal and teaching collection, the collections of her associates and more.

Thanks to generous donations we have now achieved a capital sum and with further donations, the interest from the fund will sustain the award into the future.