ABOUT MORAG MYERSCOUGH

Morag creates installations and immersive spatial artworks that transform places and champion community and public interaction. Morag’s recent artwork includes ‘Dancing in the Sky’ for Coachella and ‘Love Letters’ for the Paris Olympic & Paralympic Games!

“Upon entering the Minster, I was immediately struck by the vast scale of the space and the ethereal light streaming through the exquisite stained glass windows. My gaze was drawn to the needlepoint prayer kneelers, each a testament to the individual stories and collective spirit of the parishioners who had crafted them. These kneelers, as a long standing community project, embody love and care, contributing to the Minster’s enduring legacy.

Curiosity led me to enquire about the originals of these intricate textiles, and I learned of the remarkable Doncaster textile artist Edith John, from the late 1950’s onwards. Edith created several textile pieces within the Minster, including large wall pieces. This revelation resonated deeply with me, as my late mother, Betty Fraser Myerscough, also a renowned textile artist at the same time and initiated my love of colour and sewing from a very early age.

Though I did not choose to pursue a career in textiles, my passion for embroidery and sewing has remained steadfast. Motivated by a desire to intertwine my art with the Minster’s rich narrative, I dedicated a summer to experimentation and reflection. Guided by themes of ‘Belonging’, I invited the community of Doncaster to contribute lines for a collective poem, ultimately shaping my piece around the notions of Love and Unity. In these tumultuous times, this collaborative endeavour embodies the strength found in togetherness”.

Morag Myerscough’s thoughts after visiting Doncaster Minster in March 2024

Dancing in the Sky, Photograph by Lance Gerber

Let Us Shine Bristol Light Festival, Photograph by Gareth Gardner

Love Letters Paris Olympics Photograph by Morag Myerscough

The Soundscape

Doncaster Artist Doya Beardmore, who goes by the performance name Skinny Pelembe, has composed the soundscape to accompany ‘Love & Unity’.

Doya drew inspiration from workshop sessions with young people from Ridgewood School as well as archive recordings of Morag’s Father, Henry Myerscough, a renowned session musician who played alongside The Beatles and Bob Marley.

Photograph by Sophie Jouvenaar