After a long period of gestation, we are proud to announce that this site is finally up and running. The opening coincides with the anniversary of Karen’s death on April 15 2018 – an anniversary that will be a poignant moment for all who knew her, but also a time to reflect on her legacy,…
Posted byKatrina Finch
I am delighted to share the news that the Early Textiles Study Group (ETSG) is dedicating their next biennial conference, to be held in Glasgow on 6th-7th June, to the memory of Karen, who they describe as a “visionary leader in textile conservation and research”. Philip Sykas and I are presenting a paper titled ‘Karen…
Posted byKatrina Finch
The Centre for Textile Conservation and Technical Art History have published a blog post about the 2019 Open Day at the University of Glasgow. The very vivid account was written by Sarah Foskett and can be found here. It is an annual delight for myself and my husband Alan to attend the open days, and…
Posted byAlan Cohen
Once, long ago (in the early 80s I think), I was paid to give a talk at the TCC in Hampton Court, even though I knew nothing about textile conservation. My academic ‘specialism’ was shamanism and Karen had sufficient faith in my subject knowledge for me to give a talk to a group of students…
Posted byKatrina Finch
In November 2015 Karen attended an event at the Travellers’ Club in Pall Mall with Katrina and Alan, at which she was presented with the Balfour of Burleigh Tercentenary Prize for Exceptional Achievement in Crafts. The prize, which was presented by the Lord and Lady Balfour of Burleigh, recognises those who have “demonstrated exceptional achievement…
Posted byKatrina Finch
In 2015 a Montenegrin translation of Karen Finch and Greta Putnam’s 1977 book Caring for Textiles was published, with the permission and support of Karen.
Posted byKatrina Finch
In September 2015 Kirstie Buckland wrote a short profile of Karen which was published on the Knitting History Forum website. The full piece can be found here.
Posted byKatrina Finch
In August 2015 the Textile Conservation Foundation (TCF) established the Karen Finch Prize to mark the 40th anniversary of the foundation of the Textile Conservation Centre. Karen was visited in Walthamstow by Clare Meredith, Frances Lennard, Nell Hoare, Geraldine Sim and Fiona Wain, who was the recipient of the prize in 2015. This prize is…
Posted byKatrina Finch
In May of 2015 Karen’s last big birthday party was held at the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow. Old friends, family, former colleagues and students – including those who were recently awarded the Karen Finch Bursary by the TCC foundation – and local friends from Walthamstow all came to celebrate with Karen. One of the…
Posted byKatrina Finch
Beginning in the early 2010s Madeleine Ginsburg and Karen Finch were very happy to offer their expertise as they helped other volunteers to index and catalogue the textile collection held in the Vestry House Museum. In October 2014 the team were awarded certificates for their work as volunteers in recognition of their useful work. Members…
Posted byKatrina Finch
Members of the Selskabet for Kirkelig Kunst (The Society of Ecclesiastical Art) had been recommended by a Danish friend of Karen’s, Lone de Hemmer Egeberg, to visit Karen’s home in Walthamstow, where they could enjoy viewing Karen’s gold collection. The group consisted of Lizzi Damgaard (manager and embroiderer), Berthe Bramsen (embroiderer), Anne Nielsen (secretary) and…