Malcolm Harrison, Jerry and Chloe from The Family
TheNewDowse is proud to welcome back The Family, a collection of 35 dolls lovingly hand-made by the late Malcolm Harrison.
In 2008, TheNewDowse commemorated two important occasions - Malcolm's death, and the coming of age of youngest member Huttette, who celebrates her 21st birthday on 11 October.
The Family was created by Harrison in the 1980s from his collection of fabrics, trimmings and ornaments. They are an eclectic bunch that includes a hard-working bee-keeper, circus performer, gamblers and adulterers, naughty teenagers, a judo expert, a school teacher, musicians and a poet.
In 1987, The Family held their first public family occasion, an exhibition at TheNewDowse. Much to the public’s surprise Chloe gave birth to a baby within days of the show opening. The baby was appropriately named Huttette.
“We have commissioned textile artist Vita Cochran, whose own work has been inspired by Malcolm’s, to create a 21 year-old Huttette doll. And of course a 21st birthday party needs guests, so we have invited the public to create party-going dolls that will be displayed alongside the exhibition” said Wickham.
To accompany this exhibition, TheNewDowse facilitated several public programs; a 'Draw Your Family Portrait on the Gallery Wall' activity and a Magnetic Picture Frame workshop. These activities allowed the gallery to engage with a wider Dowse family: our visitors.
Craft 2.0 At The New Dowse, Media Release, Published 1 Oct, 2008