Art in Manufacturing: Sarah Marsh & Stephanie Jefferies

Stephanie Jefferies and Sarah Marsh are two artists and play specialists, working together as a collective. Both artists have established their own individual practice; exploring playful design and sculptural textile objects. Together, they are forming their own sensory-language.

Stephanie and Sarah have been in residency with John Lewis partner, Darwen-based Herbert Parkinson. Since 1953 Herbert Parkinson has been a thriving example of UK design, quality and craftsmanship. Combining the best of modern technology and traditional skills, Herbert Parkinson makes many of John Lewis’s own brand soft furnishings, duvets, pillows, and all of their Made to Measure products.

This year Herbert Parkinson will be celebrating their 70th anniversary – a hugely significant moment for the manufacturer, which will land on the 4th of July in the run-up to the festival weekend. 

Sensory memories of sound, touch and smell have been collected from partners of the factory to delve into the 70-year history of the people that have worked there and will be woven into a playful installation for families to explore together. Audiences will be invited to follow the flow of the factory floor, searching for the ever present heartbeat of the looms, slowing down to interact with touchable objects, wearable pieces and soft sculpture.