Schools of sea-lovers took the plunge at Manchester Museum to catch a glimpse of what it must like to live in an underwater metropolis – by adding to the city’s first ever Coral Crochet Reef.
Coral: Something Rich and Strange is the title of the wider exhibition that has been on show since November and continues until March 16 at the Manchester Museum on Oxford Road.
Around 160 visitors flocked to see the fascinating Coral Crochet Reef and learn how to crochet themselves.
The organiser of the event, Victoria Grant said: “It was a vibrant and eclectic evening, really successful.”
LIFE-LIKE: Crochet work looks incredibly realistic
The woollen underwater scenery was accompanied by further art installations by Mark Dion and textile artist Karen Casper that were displayed alongside the reef.
Karen Casper, 37, a master’s student and textile designer, said: “My embroidery work sort of compliments the crochet coral display because the colours, contours and style are similar. The embroidery glows in the dark too.”
Karen brought along her sketch books and gave demonstrations of the technique she used to create the piece.
BARRIER REEF: Contender for eight wonder of the world?
Visitors were treated to lessons in clay sculpture and embroidery whilst helping to create more coral installations and could examine artefacts from the Museum’s collections with Historian Nirvana Romell.
The event also gave the public the chance to meet and talk to the artists and the curator of the exhibition Dr Marion Endt Jones, Lecturer of Art History and Visual Studies at The University of Manchester.
GO FISH: Crochet work also includes marine life
Visitors strolled around the impressive display whilst listening to soothing music from the Seychelles, Jamaica and Belize where coral reefs are prevalent.
The exhibition is still available to visit until the March 16 and new pieces from the after-hours event will be added to the display.
EXIBIT: Museum proudly display some of the best crochet work
Images courtesy of Lucy Burscough, witht thanks.
