Notes

This lot consists of two items: the framed work on paper by Hodgins (1) is the original design for the larger scale tapestry (2) produced by the Stephens Tapestry Studio.

‘Robert Hodgins was one of the artists introduced to Mags Stephens by Linda Goodman, with whom she worked closely for many years. “We both had such fun working on this project, because Robert would come into the studio, grab a piece of polystyrene, rummage through the needlework baskets, and start cutting up pieces of fabric – batik, felt and upholstery, ribbon – and pin them on the polystyrene, creating the designs for the tapestries based on his works. Imagine having to weave a design made of textile in the very tactile medium of mohair, and having to make it look like the representation of a textile as well! What Hodgins particularly liked about tapestry, was the effects one could get by mixing or blending two strong colours in one weft. The colours bleed into each other: one yellow and two red threads, or two yellow and one red, made for very interesting lines. He said it was an effect that was impossible to get from oil paint.’ Mags remembers that Hodgins insisted on being present at the cutting off of his first tapestry. He invited all his friends to celebrate the occasion with him, including William Kentridge and Deborah Bell. And that is how Mags started her long collaboration with Kentridge. What makes Mags such a masterful tapestry weaver is her ability to interpret the vision of the artist expertly, and translate it into a tactile medium with a phenomenal result.’¹

1. Wilhelm van Rensburg (2015) Textured Translations: The Stephens Tapestry Studio, Johannesburg: Art on Paper gallery, pages 6 and 7.

Exhibited

The tapestry was exhibited Art on Paper gallery, Johannesburg, Textured Translations: The Stephens Tapestry Studio, 14 March to 11 April 2015.

Literature

Wilhelm van Rensburg (2015) Textured Translations: The Stephens Tapestry Studio, Johannesburg: Art on Paper gallery, illustrated in colour on the cover, and on pages 17 and 49 (the design and the cartoon of the tapestry).