Drawing and textiles: an iterative process: an exhibition at the National Museum of Iceland, Reykjavik

This Exhibition was concerned with examining the fundamental links that exist between drawing and textiles where the former is the prime driver in defining creative intention. This Exhibition together with the EU funded project 'KnowHow2' (2009 – 2011) for the development of curricula in drawing and textiles was instrumental in the creation of the national Icelandic curriculum. Collaboration between the Reykjavik School of Visual Arts and European partners supported the dissemination of practice-based research, and knowledge exchange between practitioners and industry in the UK and Scandinavia. The project was run over a series of workshops hosted in the partner organisations with the drawing and textiles curriculum being adopted by the Reykjavik School of Visual Arts.

Harley's input to the above drew heavily on two research papers concerned with drawing collaboration between the School of Textiles and Design, Heriot-Watt University; and the Department of Textiles, Tsinghua University, Beijing.


Harley A, Parker M. (2011) ‘Exploring the inter-cultural traditions of observational drawing and copying, using the archive as a common source of inspiration and information’, conference paper presentation at iJade (International Journal of Art and Design) International Conference, UK in collaboration with NSEAD (National Society of Education in Art and Design, UK).

Harley A, Parker M, Schenk P. (2011) ‘Drawing on the archive: Cultural approaches to copying in textile design education’, conference paper presentation at TRIP International symposium, Loughborough, UK.

Both papers focused on research findings based on first-hand accounts of observations and ideas developed in a series of workshops, and how such collaboration and direct experience can explore inter-cultural perceptions through a shared method of drawing.