LUCY MACKENZIE, FLOCKHART
This textile artist has reimagined several designs created by her grandparents, whose work was noted for its abstract geometric patterns and nature-inspired motifs.
Tell us about the artistic legacy of your grandparents.
My grandfather was the artist George Kennethson, who devoted his life to sculpture, while Eileen Guthrie, my grandmother, was a painter with a bold, experimental way with colour, inspired by Bonnard and Cézanne. She was the driving force of the original Flockhart.
How did you come across their rich archive?
I grew up with the designs, printing with my grandmother in her studio. After my grandparents passed away, my father and I were thinking about how to preserve the fabrics, silk screens and lino blocks and decided it would be great to make them available again.
Can you tell us a little about the archive?
There are 43 designs, most created between 1939 and 1950. For some, we have many pieces of original hand-printed fabric, colour experiments and even sketches and paintings. For others, we just have a very old lino block and a small scrap of fabric.
How are you using that archive to create your own collections?
I selected some of the designs that still seem fresh today and have kept them as close as possible to the originals. Some colours are taken directly from the archive because they work so well and for others I have chosen colours that evoke the palette of the 1940s and 1950s.
Which are your favourites?
I love Nursery, and have it in my daughter’s bedroom. There are Zig Zag curtains in our bedroom, and Winter Flower cushions in our sitting room. I’m experimenting with the next collection, including florals in multiple colours, and geometric designs for use in upholstery. Flockhart, 020 3137 5127, flockhartfabrics.com.