A TALENTED young designer has shed a light on Bolton's rich textile history in a piece which has caught the eye of an award-winning designer.

Zaynah Arif, a first-year textile and surface design undergraduate at the University of Bolton was, with other students, commissioned to come up with a design for the Cap and Dove travelling arts centre. The mini-arts centre is a the heart of a Peterloo legacy project, following last summer's 200th anniversary commemorations.

Zaynah drew her inspiration from the pattern books, once used by mill owners and now kept in the Bolton Museum and Archives.

The 19-year-old's design was chosen from 25 submitted as the winning design by artist Joshua Sofaer. Now the pattern will be made up into a pair of curtains for the Cap and Dove centre.

The Bolton News:

Joshua Sofaer, artist with Zaynah Arif and her designs. Picture: Simon Webb

Zaynah said: “It sounds like a cliché but when I won I felt like I was in a dream. It was a total shock.”

She added: “This has been a fantastic experience, as it has given us an insight into what it is like actually in an industry setting, working to a specific brief and then producing a design within time constraints. I have really learned a lot.I wanted to take traditional elements from the pattern from the book in the museum and give it a modern approach in terms of colour and how it flows.“My mum will be so pleased for me. I have been really stressed about it. I am a complete perfectionist and nothing is ever good enough for me – I always want to make something better.”

Joshua said: “Zaynah’s design has a contemporary layout but is inspired by the historical pattern making from the Peel pattern books in the Bolton archives.

“In choosing the winning pattern, it was important to be able to see history in the design, as one of the themes of Cap & Dove is about giving ideas from the past a contemporary twist.

“I also liked Zaynah’s process. Using new software for the first time, Zaynah spoke about how she discovered some of her design ideas by accident; but these were accidents that she embraced!

“I liked this idea and think there is some learning in there for all us.”

Joshua added: “Whilst researching at the archives at Bolton Museum, I discovered two early 19th Century pattern books, which included fabric samples with such depth and intensity of colour, they absolutely amazed me!

“Whilst at the archives, I also admired some beautifully upholstered furniture by students from the University of Bolton.

“Seeing the two things together, made me think wouldn’t it be wonderful for the students to design something in response to the pattern books. Also, what a great way this would be to celebrate and see Bolton’s rich industrial past inspiring the designers of tomorrow.”

The Bolton News:

Winning design. Picture Simon Webb

Donna Claypool, Programme Leader at the University of Bolton, said: “At this level, it’s rare for students to work on such a prestigious project with an international artist.

“It has been great for them to work on a project integrated with Bolton Museum and for them to experience working to a commission.

“The whole process has been an excellent learning experience and it’s been fantastic to see their work come to life through the process.”

Zaynah is one of several Greater Manchester emerging and established artists to be collaborating with Joshua on the build, design and decoration of Cap & Dove, which will house a tiny theatre, museum and a shop.

Her pattern design will be printed and made into curtains, which will form part of Cap & Dove’s interior.

Other project collaborators are designing wallpaper, creating posters, making floor tiles and crafting handmade items to be sold in the shop.

Commissioned by Greater Manchester Arts, Cap & Dove will harness and take forward the spirit captured in the Peterloo commemorations during summer 2019.

The title comes from the ‘cap of liberty’ and the ‘dove of peace’, two symbols of protest.

Joshua said: “The finished arts centre will tell stories about each of the 10 Greater Manchester districts.

“One of Bolton’s stories will be told through the curtains designed by Zaynah and the inspiration behind it.

“What also struck me is that the designs in Bolton Archive are from the same period as Peterloo. The people who created and worked on them are likely to be the same people who marched at Peterloo in 1819, which adds another interesting thread to the story.”

Zaynah’s winning pattern design can be seen when Cap & Dove visits Bolton as part of a Greater Manchester tour this summer.

The arts centre on wheels will visit Bolton on Saturday 18 July as part of the Festival of Hope in the town centre.