POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Notes

This jacquard weave souvenir tapestry strip wall hanging, 'Houses' was designed by Tibor Reich and made by Clifford Mills in 1964 to celebrate the opening of the New Shakespeare Centre on the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's birth. Born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1916, Tibor Reich showed an artistic temperament from an early age gaining inspiration from the beautiful landscapes of Hungary and the embroideries and woven braids embellishing Hungarian native costumes. He studied Textile Technology at Vienna followed by comprehensive study of the textile industry which included design development and research at Leeds University. After 3 years working in a large scale cotton weaving mill, Reich and his wife Freda, set up a small weaving studio in an 18th century mill known as Clifton Mill near Stratford-upon-Avon. With the mill came 5 ancient looms left behind by the previous owner who was a spinner. On these looms Reich produced exclusive hand-woven fabrics that were quickly snapped up by couturier designers who loved the original designs and inspired use of colour. His interest in creating three dimensional fabrics made possible the development of textured yarns suitable for furnishings. The business grew to such an extent that power looms were introduced but adapted to retain the hand-made quality of the original looms. His designs were characterised by organic motifs and from the 1950s he used his camera as a design tool to capture images and then working them into his patterns. Acclaimed internationally for his innovative techniques and accessible designs, Tibor Reich enjoyed a successful career that included several landmark moments. Reich was commissioned by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust to design and print a commemorative tapestry. He was also responsible for designing and weaving the fabrics, carpets and tapestries for the new Shakespeare Centre opened on 23 April 1964, by His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh. Reich's designs were deemed best suited to interpret and represent the Shakespearean vernacular in terms of modern fabrics. According to Reich, all designs were created from original concepts: '…there has been a lot of research and what we have done is to imagine how these designs would have been tackled in Shakespeare's own time and work on them from that basis.' Public interest in the panels was so high, that replicas were produced enabling visitors to Stratford-upon-Avon, to purchase a portable souvenir of 'high artistic merit'. From the Commonwealth Wool Growers, a Tibor design was one of the first furnishing fabrics chosen as a wedding gift by Queen Elizabeth. Tibor fabrics also featured in many significant public buildings including both Numbers 10 and 11 Downing Street, the Cunard Liner QE2 and the interior of the Concorde. Tibor Reich died at the age of 80 in 1996. His work is now highly collectible. References Cabinet Maker and Retail Finisher, 21 February 1964 W Circosta 2012 5-3 This brochure was produced in 1969 to mark the 200th anniversary of the first Shakespeare festival organised in 1769 by the famous actor, David Garrick.