A Tapestry for Anglesey
Wales has a long and rich history of weaving stories into textiles, preserving cultures, memory and identity for future generations. In response to this legacy, Future Observatory commissioned artist Sahra Hersi to create a tapestry inspired by the work of Public Map Platform (PMP) – a design research initiative that brings together young people and community mappers on Ynys Môn (Anglesey) to explore the place they call home.
Over the past two years, PMP has been co-creating an interactive digital map that helps local authorities and communities visualise what is happening in their areas. Weaving together environmental data, cultural memory, sensory information and story-telling, this innovative research output supports future planning that reflects the lived experiences of people and place.
To realise the tapestry, Future Observatory commissioned Sahra Hersi – an artist and spatial designer whose practice centres around community engagement and interventions in shared and public spaces. Much of Sahra’s work is born out of building close relationships with community groups and the spaces that they occupy.
To inform the tapestry’s design, Sahra facilitated a co-production workshop with PMP’s team of Community Mappers on Ynys Môn. Asking mappers question to draw on their own experiences of mapping the island. Participants were invited to respond to questions such as “Was there a moment or in the mapping process that felt especially meaningful or relevant?” The outcome was a collection of reflections, observations, drawings and stories – fragments that speak to the emotional and cultural aspects of place, and can not be captured through data alone.
Back in her London studio, Sahra pieced the workshop findings into an illustration that conveyed the themes and narratives shared by the mappers. Her design reflects the three key layers of the Public Map: social, cultural and environmental mapping.
The tapestry tells many stories at once. Relics of Anglesey’s industrial past – aluminium and copper mining – and references to the future of nuclear energy frame its edges. Scenes from mapping events appear throughout, depicting engagement with local schools, water sports, crafts, and cultural activies. Together, the imagery creates a vibrant portrait of life on the island – drawn directly from the perspective of those who know it best.
Handwoven by Dash & Miller, the tapestry was created using British wool on a Jacquard loom. Bridging the worlds of digital mapping and traditional craft, it stands as a testament to the power of co-creation - acknowledging the importance of making space for stories, voices, and memories in the complex portrayal of place.
