Middlesbrough Moquette is a series of striking vinyl artworks inspired by patterned moquette – a durable woven fabric widely used on public transport. Emma researched the history of moquette, with visits by rail to the London Transport Museum and York Railway Museum.
After studying designs from the 1920s to present day, she developed her own bespoke patterns which reference the architectural features of Middlesbrough railway station, past and present. These include the original elliptical roof that was damaged in 1942 by a German air raid.
Several intricate patterns were hand painted and vibrant colour schemes were devised using heritage shades, seen at the stations of Grosmont and Pickering, to reflect local culture and history.
Selected designs have been reproduced onto large scale vinyl to adorn the historical windows and waiting room seating which playfully reference the use of moquette as a distinctive and familiar seating textile.
Emma Bennett lives and works in Middlesbrough. Her art practice centres around colour and architecture and her work ranges from small intimate paintings to large scale site-specific wall paintings.
Many of Emma’s artworks reference a nostalgic attachment to places and structures that are often overlooked or neglected. Her work declares the architectural beauty and social importance of these places and buildings.