The Social Fabric used Panaz’s archive to investigate the life experiences of four employees of the Burnley-based manufacturer, threading the fabric of their lives into bespoke textiles and wallpapers.
Film by Wash Design, commissioned by Creative Lancashire
“We all dream of having something made especially for us. With our new fabric and wallpaper patterns, we’ve made that dream come true for four folks from Lancashire.
GRENNAN AND SPERANDIO
From the finance office to the shop floor, four employees of Panaz had their lives, loves and work experiences turned into textile artworks for their homes. The duo were fascinated by the connection between homelife, personality and work environments, and aimed to get the employees of the fabrics firm doing things they hadn’t done before.
During their residency they surprised Glenn, Peter, Martine and Anita by making them the centre of their work, holding intensive design sessions in their kitchens, living rooms and workplaces to create fabric patterns featuring coy carp, Whitesnake, Tibetan mandalas and King Charles Spaniels.
Installed in a town centre coffee shop the resultant wallpaper, curtains, sofa and bed runner inconspicuously evoke elements of each worker’s personality and personal history with patterns as idiosyncratic as the four collaborators themselves. The artists’ creations span the space between worklife and homelife; the fabric of the employees’ lives threaded through the fabric of their factory.
International fine art studio Grennan and Sperandio have a three-decade-long history of telling stories in unusual media, from comic books to chocolate. Based in North Wales and Texas, two things remain constant in their practice: they always work together and their work always involves members of the public. Grennan and Sperandio invite people to do things that they don’t usually do – taking a small step into the unknown together.
Burnley-based Panaz is one of Europe’s leading and most innovative suppliers of high quality decorative fabrics and wall coverings for hospitality, healthcare and corporate sectors. With a focus on design and technical innovation, Panaz works with interior designers to supply fabric for iconic interiors and their work can be found decorating ships and theatres. The company has an environmental focus and their eco manifesto is a fundamental part of their business strategy.
It’s been a fantastic experience to have been involved in Art in Manufacturing, and a fascinating insight into how art can become a part of people’s everyday lives.
SIMON ATTARD, PANAZ
