The history of human development shows that the importance of protecting the foot was early recognized. Records of Egyptians, Chinese and other early civilizations all contain reference to shoes. The shoe features in legend and folklore; Seven League Boots, Cinderella, Puss in Boots and Mercury’s Winged sandals to name a few. Traditionally shoe lasts such as bespoke shoemakers use are made of maple or beech woods. It is the solid form around which a shoe is moulded. The last needs to represent the anatomical information of the foot, at the same time giving the finished shoe a pleasing fashionable appearance.
Modern last shapes are designed using computer aided design software. Wooden lasts today are used only for bespoke shoemaking.
The last survives past the life of the original wearer of bespoke footwear, and not only is it a silent testimony to the degree of wealth, but can also signify painful conditions associated with skeletal deformities of the foot. Apart from the notions of pilgrimage, of foot soldiers, of shanks pony – this exhibition refers to the very basic means of locomotion available to the vast numbers of people across the centuries…wanderers through time.
Each artist featured in Made to Last brings a personal response to the symbolism of the last, together with a variety of art forms including painters, sculptors, printmakers, carpenters, jewellers and conceptual artists. The results of this eclectic mix, forms a thought provoking and expressive statement of our times.
Exhibiting artists: Julie Ayton, Michael Brennand-Wood, Henny Burnett, Melissa Cole, Fran Donovan, Penny Burnfield, Matthew Burt, Susan Francis, Helen Ganly, James Morton-Evans, Heather Prescott, Robert Race, Liz Reeves-Holmes, Debra Sweeney, Syann van Niftrik, Julieanne Worrall Hood, Daphne Wright
Exhibition opened by Prof. Simon Olding
Modern last shapes are designed using computer aided design software. Wooden lasts today are used only for bespoke shoemaking.
The last survives past the life of the original wearer of bespoke footwear, and not only is it a silent testimony to the degree of wealth, but can also signify painful conditions associated with skeletal deformities of the foot. Apart from the notions of pilgrimage, of foot soldiers, of shanks pony – this exhibition refers to the very basic means of locomotion available to the vast numbers of people across the centuries…wanderers through time.
Each artist featured in Made to Last brings a personal response to the symbolism of the last, together with a variety of art forms including painters, sculptors, printmakers, carpenters, jewellers and conceptual artists. The results of this eclectic mix, forms a thought provoking and expressive statement of our times.
Exhibiting artists: Julie Ayton, Michael Brennand-Wood, Henny Burnett, Melissa Cole, Fran Donovan, Penny Burnfield, Matthew Burt, Susan Francis, Helen Ganly, James Morton-Evans, Heather Prescott, Robert Race, Liz Reeves-Holmes, Debra Sweeney, Syann van Niftrik, Julieanne Worrall Hood, Daphne Wright
Exhibition opened by Prof. Simon Olding
