Crochet Artist Reacts to Turner Prize Win for Giant Doily Installation

The woman responsible for crocheting a massive doily, which an artist incorporated into a vintage car installation, has expressed her astonishment after the artwork secured this year’s Turner Prize. Rachael Mills, a crochet instructor from Blackburn, contributed her work to Jasleen Kaur’s ‘Alter Altar’, an installation that celebrates the Scottish Sikh community. The doily, measuring five metres (16ft) wide, is currently on display at London’s Tate Gallery until February. Jasleen utilized it for her Turner exhibition by covering a red vintage Ford Escort. Ms. Mills described the attention her creation has garnered as “very emotional.” This substantial doily, exhibited at London’s Tate Gallery until February, was employed by Kaur for her Turner exhibition to adorn a red vintage Ford Escort. Established in 1984, the Turner Prize is recognized as the most prestigious award in British art. This marks the second instance the artist has used Ms. Mills’ doily, having initially approached her in 2021 for the British Textile Biennial art festival in East Lancashire. “I still can’t believe my work that I made in my own home is going to be featured in the Tate and I have been pinching myself ever since I found out,” she stated. “I don’t think I’ll truly believe it until I see it for myself. I am so giddy to go and see it.” Ms. Mills, who originally trained as a bridal seamstress, now conducts classes and produces bespoke items through her businesses, REM Designs and Crochet Crazy Creations. She added, “I love to teach crochet and it is such a pleasure to see people develop a new skill which is a wonderful hobby.” She concluded, “I get just as much pride from teaching people as knowing my work will be on national display.” For more content, listeners can access BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can also be submitted to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external sites, with further information available regarding its approach to external linking.