The cost of collecting wool and treating it for clothing has become more prohibitive since the 1970’s.
2020 – We are buying clothes made from manmade non-biodegradable materials to discard after only being worn a couple of times. Meanwhile, raw wool is being burnt by struggling hill farmers, some sheep being left unshorn.
The ram portrayed will be relieved of his heavy fleece soon, but must wait until the weather is set fair or he will catch a chill.
I chose a hessian canvas as a reminder of the time when sheep fleeces were rightly valued and animal fodder came in hessian sacks (now replaced by plastic). The farmer’s friend, his farmyard essential! A protection against rough weather worn around the shoulders, a tractor seat cushion, pipe lagging against the frost, bag for the ‘teddies’ and laid in the barn – a place for cat to have her kittens. Eventually the sack at end of life sinking back into the soil.
The Harris Tweed Orb Trade Mark means a tweed, hand-spun, hand-woven and dyed by the crofters and cottars in the Outer Hebrides.
Wonderfully warm and durable.
Thickly applied oil paint with brush and knife.