COLLECTION

The Shawl Series Inspiration

A group of people, including two elderly individuals and a woman, walking on a dirt path along a coastal area with terraced land and the ocean visible in the background.

History & Background

The Shawl - The Galway shawl was a thick, warm shawl worn by women on the Aran Islands from the late 1800s up until the 1950s. The shawl was made in Paisley, Scotland, using a special loom, but it had its own Irish style. It had a plain centre, often light brown, with a wide, colourful border in reds and browns, and fringes around the edges.

A brown fabric curtain with a decorative white pattern hanging against a white wall.
An elderly man and a young boy holding hands standing outside a building with people in the background, both dressed in old-fashioned clothing.

It was made from cotton and wool and finished to feel soft and slightly velvety. The shawl was both practical and decorative, often featuring a “buta” pattern, a design with roots in ancient Persia and Babylon.

Old black and white photograph of six children and one man, all wearing vintage clothing, sitting or standing outdoors on a rough stone surface.
A historical photo of a woman smiling while looking to her right, wearing a dark shawl and a long dress.
A close-up of a Shawl with intricate patterns, fringed edges, and a beige, brown, and cream color scheme.
A historical photo of an elderly woman with a headscarf standing outdoors near a field.
Multiple small wooden boats numbered from 2 to 6, docked close together in water.

The men equally work bright colours and patterns in the form of “The Críos” this was a traditional hand woven belt, each had its own unique colours and patterns and was worn with a wool waistcoat and trousers.

Mosaic art piece depicting the famous painting 'The Crios', a traditional hand-woven belt, enclosed in a white frame on a wooden surface.
Colourful handwoven crios belt hanging against a white wall.

Exhibitions

Mosaic artwork depicting two women facing each other, wrapped in patterned shawls.
Close-up of a mosaic depicting a Madonna and Child, with a white background, blue accents, and a dark border.
Mosaic artwork of a couple seen from behind, with a woman wearing a yellow patterned dress with red flowers and a man in a red shirt, set against a textured blue background.

Alongside studies of the landscape, Barbara’s work explores the cultural history of the island.

“Within the Shawl”

A mosaic series focused on the shawls worn by island women in the 1920s - garments shaped by both practicality and individuality. The contemporary interpretation captures texture, pattern, colour, and form. The exhibition was inspired by the shawl worn by Barbara’s grandmother on her wedding day.

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