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.
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Status
- Currently Off View
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Department
- Textiles
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Artists
- Barbara Brown (Designer) , Heal's Fabrics Ltd. (Manufacturer)
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Title
- Ensign
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Place
- England (Object made in)
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Date
- Designed 1965
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Medium
- Cotton; screen printed satin weave
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Dimensions
- 279.4 × 127 cm (109 × 50 in.)
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Credit Line
- Mr. and Mrs. William W. McKittrick Fund
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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.
