Drawing from his rich family history, deeply rooted in the coal mining industry, artist Richard McVetis explores themes of deep time and our intrinsic connection to landscape, material, and place. As the descendant of Lithuanian immigrants turned miners, McVetis traces the influence of coal—a material formed over 300 million years ago—and examines how this elemental substance continues to shape our lives.

In this illustrated talk, McVetis brings to the surface the hidden and underground landscapes of coal. His exploration spans both the macro and the micro, mapping the industrial landscapes that created the city lights we see today, while also revealing the vast time scales etched into the night sky. Through this lens, he delves into the topography of the mind, where patterns of time become tangible, and our relationship with the environment is laid bare.

This journey reveals the profound ways in which material and landscape have shaped human civilization. From the formation of coal to the construction of our cities, McVetis offers a vantage point on time that underscores the fragility of life within the grand scale of our planet’s history. His insights into the interconnectedness of all things invite us to pause, contemplate, and see time anew.

The talk is not only an exploration of time and material but also a meditation on potential. By mapping a world through drawing, McVetis reveals possibilities for the future. His aesthetic and conceptual journey invites us to look closer, to take a moment to reflect, and to embark on a trip into the infinite—where time, material, and the creative process converge.

Date
Thursday, January 23, 2025

Time
5 pm – 6:30 pm ET

Location
Zoom, a link will be sent to participants the week before the lecture

Cost

Tickets for this event are sold on a sliding scale beginning at $10 with a suggested donation of $25, but if you wish to pay less or more than the suggested donation, you may select a different amount from the drop down menu. As always, we are grateful for your support, which ensures the continuation and preservation of textile knowledge. Thank you for making this series possible. 

Tatter Library is a registered 501(c)3. Our speaker series is part of our community programming and proceeds support the continued success of our talks with artists, scholars, and historians we admire. For this event, all ticket proceeds will go towards keeping this series alive. 

Scholarships

We have two scholarships available for this experience. To be considered for a scholarship please email [email protected] requesting the scholarship application form.

Recording

This lecture will be recorded. A link to the recording will be emailed to all those who register following the live session. This link is live for one month for you to watch at your convenience.

OUR LECTURER

Richard McVetis studied at Manchester School of Art before studying at the Royal College of Art, where he now teaches. McVetis has been shortlisted for several distinguished prizes, including the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize, UK, 2023; the Jerwood Drawing Prize, UK, 2011 and 2017, and the international Loewe Craft Prize, 2018. In addition, McVetis has shown work nationally and internationally at several exhibitions, including Objects of Contemplation at Make Hauser & Wirth, London, UK, 2024; Threads at Arnolfini, UK, 2023; The British Textile Biennial, UK, 2021; RENEW at Kettles Yard, UK, 2019; Loewe Craft Prize, Design Museum, London, UK, 2018; ‘Form + Motion’ – a major exhibition with the British Council, South Korea, 2017. In 2022 his solo show was at the Craft Study Centre, Farnham.