Banners, Useful and Beautiful.

From their base in West Wales, activists, artists and lecturers Thalia and lan Campbell not only make banners for a wide range of organisations, but also run workshops where they help people to make their own banners.

The Campbells have been making banners since 1978 and helped to promote the revival of the traditional women’s craft of sewn banners, following in the tradition of William Morris, the Suffragettes the Cooperative Women’s Guild and the Association of International Artists.

Thalia and lan have held office and been involved in the Labour Party and the Trade Union Movement as well as in Non Governmental Organisations. They were founder members of Arts for Labour an organisation for artists who support the party and party members who support the Arts. The making of banners brought their interests in politics and art together.

They were originally inspired in the 1970’s by an exhibition of trade union banners in Edinburgh Scotland and in 1978 by the then Liberal leader Jo Grimond who prophesied that,

“the country was about to enter a new dark ages with the use of the new technology.”

So they thought they would light up the new dark ages with bright and informative banners. The banners were used on marches, at conferences, rallies and at public meetings.

They also organised three major travelling exhibitions. 100 Years of Womens Banners, The Ribbon of Life, an exhibition of American peace and Justice material and Each for all All for Each, an exhibition of banners from the Cooperative Movement to celebrate 150 years of the Rochdale Pioneers who set up the first Cooperative store.

Sewn banners are easy to fold, pack and to transport. Many of the hundreds of banners they have made have travelled the world, to Italy, Germany, Austria, Holland, Finland Australia, USA, Canada, S America, The Ex French South Pacific Islands, New Zealand, China, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and continue to do so.

https://opencollective.com/campbellarchive

Thalia D. Campbell, B.A. Hons., Cert. Ed.

Education:

  • Torquay Girl’s Grammar School, 1948-1956
  • Matlock Teacher’s Training College, 1956-1958: Received Teaching Certificate from Nottingham University Institute of Education with Distinction in Art. Subsidiary subject: Music.
  • University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, 1973-1976: Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Visual Arts.

Employment:

  1. Infant Teacher at William Crane Infants School, Nottingham.
  2. Head of Art Dept. at Convent High School, Southampton.
  3. Design Lecturer at Southampton College of Art.
  4. Art Teacher at Ladies of Mary Convent, Scarborough. General Studies Lecturer at Scarborough Technical College.
  5. Home teacher of handicapped child.
  6. Conducted W.E.A. Art Classes in Yorkshire villages.
  7. Extra Mural Tutor at University College of Wales.
  8. Involved in two Community Art Projects with The Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth.
  9. Freelance researcher and Exhibition organizer.

Artistic Contributions:

  • Etcher, Painter, Screenprinter, and Designer.
  • Founder member of Torbay Art Group, 1959-65.
  • Exhibited works at various galleries including The Gabrowski Gallery, London, in 1958 and 1959.
  • The exhibition “Images of Men” at the I.C.A. London.
  • Part of the group that set up the precursor of the Women’s Artists Slide Library and the women’s art magazine F.A.N., Feminist Art News.
  • Chair of Artists and Designers in Wales, Aberystwyth, 1981-1982.
  • Visiting artist in schools for the Inner London Education Authority.
  • Speaker at various conferences including LLafur, Welsh Society of Labour History, and History Workshop 23 at Salford University.

Exhibitions and Projects:

  • Organized and raised funding for “100 Years of Women’s Banners” exhibition, which toured extensively across the UK and abroad.
  • Involved in numerous exhibitions and projects including ones at Coventry City Art Gallery, Oriel Theatre Clywd, Mold, Bristol City Council Chamber, and many more.

Consultancy and Advocacy:

  • Consults with Trades Unions and provides advice on the conservation of their artifacts.
  • Deposited extensive artistic and political archives with the National Library of Wales.
  • Negotiating major commissions with Northern College, Wentworth Castle, Barnsley, and with Bradford University and Dept of Peace Studies.
  • Organized events and platforms for various causes including childcare workers, Labour Party, and the Museum of Labour History, Liverpool.

Additional Information:

  • Provided valuation and conservation advice service to organizations.
  • Interviewed on local and national radio and TV programs.
  • Currently planning exhibitions and lectures in Australia.
  • Involved in numerous exhibitions and projects, borrowing items from various museums, galleries, and organizations, including schools, offices, and factories.

THALIA. D. CAMPBELL B.A. Hons.Cert. Ed.

Education.

1948 1956 Torquay Girl’s Grammar School.

60 levels and 2 A levels Geography, and Art (with distinction).

1956 1958. Matlock Teacher’s Training College.

Teaching Certificate, Nottingham University Institute of Education, with Distinction in Art. Subsidary subject, Music.

1973 1976. University College of Wales. Aberystwyth.

BA.Hons. Visual Arts.

Employment.

1. Infant Teacher. William Crane Infants School. 2.

Nottingham.

2. Head of Art Dept. Convent High School, Southampton. 3. Design Lecturer, Southampton College of Art.

4. Art Teacher. Ladies of Mary Convent, Scarborough. General Studies Lecturer, Scarborough Technical

5.

College.

6. Home teacher Of Handicapped Child.

7. W.Ε.Α. Art Classes in Yorkshire villages.

8. Extra Mural Tutor. University College of Wales.

9. Two Community Art Projects with The Centre for Alternative Technology. Machynlleth.

10. Freelance researcher and Exhibition organiser.

I am an Etcher, Painter, Screenprinter, and Designer. Founder member of Torbay Art Group, 1959-65.

With works on loan to Torquay Town Council for 8 years.

Member of the Midland Group of Artists. 1956,57,58. Nottingham. Member of Artists International Association. Lisle St.

Leicester Square. London. 1958,59. Exhibited at The Gabrowski Gallery. London. 1958,59.

Works in “Pictures for Schools”, Cumberland. Works in Scarborough Art Gallery, permanent Collection.

I was one of the initiators and organisers of the exhibition “Images of Men” at the I.C.A. London, which then travelled to several other galleries..

I was part of the same group of women who also set up the precursor of the Womens Artists Slide Library and the womens art magazine F.A.N., FEMINIST ART NEWS.

Chair of Artists and Designers in Wales. Aberystwyth.

1981-1982. (one and a half years.) Member 1975-82. 1988. Visiting artist in schools for the Inner London Education Authority.

Visiting Lecturer at Art Colleges, speaker at LLafur, Welsh Society of Labour History, at Gregynog Womens Studies Colloquia, International Conference, National Association of Teachers of English, 1989, History Workshop 23 at Salford University 1989, and for Kaleidoscope a Womens Fortnight of Events in Liverpool 1989.

Exhibitions:

1959. December. Umbrella Club Coventry. 1969. May. Theatre Royal York.

1988/89. two banners “Subversive Stitch.” in the touring exhibition

1987/88. one banner in the touring exhibition “Flying Colours.”

1989. A Banner in the exhibition “A Stitch in Time”, at the Peoples Palace, Glasgow.

I have researched, raised funding forjand organised, 100 YEARS OF WOMENS BANNERS, EXHIBITION, which has been at, a GRADE 2 TRAVELLING

NOVEMBER 1984. COVENTRY CITY ART GALLERY. 1986. ORIEL, THEATRE CLYWD, MOLD. N. WALES.

AUGUST JAN/FEB.

1987. BRISTOL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER. GLYN WYCKHAM GALLERY. BRISTOL UNIVERSITY.

FEB/MAR.

1987. PLAYHOUSE GALLERY. HARLOW. ESSEX.

APRIL.

1987. HUDDERSFIELD POLYTECHNIC. YORKS. 1987.CYFARTHA CASTLE MUSEUM. MERTHYR TYDFIL.

JULY.

SEPTEMBER

1987.CHAPTER ARTS CENTRE.CARDIFF.

SEPT/OCT.

1987.CITY ARTS CENTRE EDINBURGH. SCOTLAND.

OCT/NOV.

1987. CITY ART GALLERY DUNDEE. SCOTLAND.

NOV.87/JAN 1988. CITY ART GALLERY. SWANSEA.WALES.

FEB/MAR. APR/MAY

1988. CITY ART GALLERY. STIRLING. SCOTLAND

. 1988. COVENTRY CITY LIBRARIES. 1988. ISLINGTON LIBRARIES.LONDON.

JUNE.

1988 THE COOPER GALLERY. BARNSLEY. YORKS.

JULY/AUG.

1989. LLANTARNAM GRANGE ARTS CENTRE. CWMBRAN. 1989. THE LONG GALLERY, NORTHERN COLLEGE,

FEBRUARY.

MARCH.

WENTWORTH HOUSE, STAINBOROUGH, BARNSLEY. APRIL/MAY. 1989. THE INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM. BRADFORD. YORKS.

SCOTLAND.

SEPTEMBER 1989. CIVIC CENTRE, SPORTS CENTRE, THEATRE, AND

NOVEMBER. 1989. SUMMERLEES HERITAGE CENTRE. COATBRIDGE,

ARTS CENTRES, SWINDON.WILTSHIRE.

MARCH 1990. OXFORD TOWN HALL, MUSEUM, AND LIBRARY.

SEPTEMBER 1990. ABERGAVENNY MUSEUM, BUILDINGS. AND OTHER PUBLIC

IN THE PLANNING STAGES BRIGHTON, LEICESTER, NOTTINGHAM, CLEVELAND, LIVERPOOL AND BIRMINGHAM.

I provide a valuation and conservation advice service to organisations.

Since 1986 I have organised and carried out projects, for Bristol City Council, Leamington Spa Womens Groups, Battersea Labour Party, Liverpool AND Manchester Childcare Workers, Coventry Trades Council, the Museum of Labour

History, Liverpool. British Banners and American Ribbon the Textiles Festival Bradford April 1900. pieces on show at

In November 1989 I worked on a Civic to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of Basildon, and in and 1990 A project Community College. Liverpool. Community Project the new town of with Rotunda

In November 1988 I went on a research and lecture tour to Chicago and Milwaukee, U.S.A.

The American Embroidery Exhibition has been on show at The Pankhurst Centre Manchester, Shrewsbury Abbey and various conferences, church events and rallies and was on display in the House of Commons from February 17th 23rd.1990.

I arranged sponsorship for Justine Merritt from Grand Junction, Colarado, the originator of the Ribbon Project to visit Britain and open the exhibition at the House of Commons and I arranged a week of public platforms for her at meetings in CAMBRIDGE, BASILDON, SUTTON, BRISTOL, ABERYSTWYTH, BANGOR AND BEXLEY HEATH. The Ribbon Exhibition at The House of Commons was Featured on T.V. Wales at Westminster.

The Ribbon Exhibition will be at:

The Smith Art Gallery, Stirling. SCOTLAND. August 17th – Sept 2nd. 1990.

Coleg Harlech. N.Wales. October 5TH 19TH 1990. I am negotiating a lecture tour and exhibitions with various Colleges and Galleries in Australia.

March 1989, Artist in Residence at the International Conference of the National Association for the Teachers of English, at the the University College of Swansea.

In 1987 and 1989 I was a speaker at the International Banner Makers Conferences at the Polytechnic in Huddersfield and St Johns College. York.

We are negotiating a major commission with Northern College, Wentworth Castle, Barnsley, and with Bradford University, and with Bradford University Dept of Peace Studies.

We are consultants to Trades Unions, we advise on the conservation of their artefacts.

Our extensive artistic and politcal archives are being deposited with the National Library of Wales, preliminary discussions on organising a Welsh version of my exhibition 100 YEARS OF WOMENS BANNERS, in the Gallery at the National Library Aberystwyth, have taken place this would use material from my extensive documentary collection in the National Library and material from other museums in Wales.

I HAVE RESEARCHED PRODUCED AND EDITED EXHIBITION CATALOGUES, WRITTEN PRESS RELEASES, AND PRODUCED POSTERS.

I HAVE USED MATERIAL AND EXHIBITS FROM MUSEUMS, GALLERIES, ARCHIVES, ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUAL COLLECTIONS

FOR MY EXHIBITIONS. IN THIS COUNTRY AND ABROAD. I HAVE RESEARCHED, RAISED

FUNDS, AND SPONSORSHIP, FOR THESE EXHIBITIONS. I HAVE BEEN INTERVIEWED ON LOCAL AND NATIONAL RADIO AND T.V.. WOMANS HOUR, AND CURRENT AFFAIRS AND NEWS PROGRAMMES.

IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE EXHIBITION WITH CITY GALLERIES, COUNCILS, AND ART CENTRES, I HAVE ORGANISED EVENTS WITH NATIONAL, INTERNATIONAL, AND LOCAL SPEAKERS.THESE EVENTS WITH POETRY, SONGS AND REFRESHMENTS HAVE ATTRACTED AS MANY AS 800 PEOPLE.

ON SCOTTISH T.V. POOTAGE OF MY WORK HAS BEEN USED IN A RECENT QUIZ SHOW, AND ON “LEFT RIGHT AND CENTER”.

THE EVENTS AT THE EXHIBITION IN COATBRIDGE WERE SHOWN IN THE NATIONAL T.V. PROGRAMME ON GLASGOW 1990.

I HAVE OTHER POTENTIALLY POPULAR TOPICAL GENERAL THEME EXHIBITIONS IN THE RESEARCH AND PLANNING STAGE.

100 YEARS OF WOMENS BANNERS.

Exhibition items borrowed from..

The Aberystwyth Museum.

Newport Museum. South Wales.

The South Wales Miners Library. Swansea.

Manchester City Libraries . The Tolson Museum. Huddersfield.

The Cooper Gallery. Barnsley.

Cooperative Womens Guild, National Offices in Scotland

and England.

The Cooperative Retail Services London. Branches of the Cooperative Movement.

Cyfartha Castle Museum. Merthyr Tydfil

The Peoples Palace. Glasgow.

Huntley House Museum. Edinburgh..

The Fawcett Library, London.

The Peace Pledge Union.

The Womens Institute

The Towns Womens Guild.

Also from Trade unions, Community Sewing Groups, Churches, other organisations and individuals.

OCTOBER 1989.

SCHOOLS OFFICES FACTORIES

PLEASTN AND wish

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