Sheila Hicks on a 14th Century Child’s Dress Made in Rural Greenland

‘The fact that it was most likely made with recycled fabric touches me immensely’

BY Sheila Hicks in Frieze Masters , Influences | 30 AUG 18

Child’s dress, Greenland, mid-14th century, wool, length: 50cm. Courtesy: Nationalmuseet, Copenhagen

I presume this work of art from a remote, rural area of Greenland was made by a woman. This dress, woven from undyed warp and weft, was created in the 14th century by a mother or grandmother for a three-year-old, female child. The fact that it was most likely made with recycled fabric touches me immensely. I recycle clothing and other objects into my work constantly. It is a way of memorializing the things that I find meaningful.

Published in Frieze Masters issue 7, 2018, with the title ‘Artist's Artists’.

SHEILA HICKS

Sheila Hicks lives in Paris, France. In the past year, she has had solo exhibitions at Sikkema Jenkins, New York, USA, Centre Pompidou, Paris, Alison Jacques Gallery, London, UK, Amparo Museum, Puebla, Mexico, and Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. Her show at Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire, France, runs until 2 February 2019.

Sheila Hicks on a 14th Century Child’s Dress Made in Rural Greenland

‘The fact that it was most likely made with recycled fabric touches me immensely’

Sheila Hicks

Artists' Artists

Frieze Masters 7

Influences

Frieze Masters 2018

Frieze London 2018