So I went to see this exhibition about a month ago, but due to extenuating circumstances (in the form of an extremely last-minute dissertation) I’ve only just got around to blogging it. But you’re in luck, because you can still go and see it this week. In fact, I’d go as far as saying you should.
Funny, frilly and fabulously feminist, Burnt Breakfast is a sardonic take on traditional laydeez activities, namely cooking and crochet. As curator Alexandra Kokoli says, the combined ultra-girliness of these two activities means that they “cancel each other out”, making this breakfast into “a mockery of more than one aspect of housewifely duties.”
The pieces were created in 1975 as part of a project which saw isolated female artists exchanging their work through the post, and Richardson is remembered as one of the first to turn craft into art. The name is deceptive; though – there’s much more than just breakfast on offer (see pic 3 below). It’s statement work, but the technical skill involved makes for an interesting contrast to many of today’s political pieces. I’m not saying I’ve tried, but it can’t be easy to knit a realistic vagina, you know?
Sadly the gallery is only open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but if you’re knocking around South London, give it a go. There’s also a cabinet of smaller works in Goldsmiths Library, which is open Mon-Fri. However, it’s in the middle of a reading room in thesis season, so visit at your peril.
Burnt breakfast by Su Richadson is at the Constance Howard Gallery, Deptford Town Hall, New Cross until Sept 9 (open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11-5)
If you would like to use any of the pictures in this post, please credit me by linking back to my blog. Manners, y’know?
Unpopular Culture 
This is crazy! Knitting knows no boundaries 🙂
Or crocheting, rather
I know, so impressive! Puts my collection of unfinished scarf squares to shame…