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Ensign

A work made of cotton; screen printed satin weave.

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  • A work made of cotton; screen printed satin weave.

Date:

Designed 1965

Artist:

Designed by Barbara Brown (English, b. 1932)
Manufactured by Heal’s Fabrics Ltd (British, founded 1810)

About this artwork

Undulating lines, reminiscent of sine and cosine curves, and complementary alternating patterns of chevrons and polka dots comprise Barbara Brown’s Ensign design for Heal’s Fabrics. The pattern exemplifies Brown’s work of the mid 1950s-1970s, which often incorporated optical illusions and employed mathematical references to produce a sense of motion and three-dimensionality. Brown’s bold and thoughtful design sensibility attracted the attention of Heal’s Fabrics, who purchased designs from Brown prior to her graduation from the Royal College of Art. Brown worked for Heal’s exclusively and the firm proclaimed her the “golden girl of Heal’s Fabrics” in a 1967 promotional brochure. Three of her textile designs for Heal’s, Complex, Spiral, and Automation, won awards from the British Council of Industrial Design.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Textiles

Artists

Barbara Brown (Designer) , Heal's Fabrics Ltd. (Manufacturer)

Title

Ensign

Place

England (Object made in)

Date

Designed 1965

Medium

Cotton; screen printed satin weave

Dimensions

279.4 × 127 cm (109 × 50 in.)

Credit Line

Mr. and Mrs. William W. McKittrick Fund

Reference Number

2017.390

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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