At first glance it seems quite insignificant; a small, fragile piece of ancient blue cloth. However, this tiny, extraordinary fragment contains threads that stretch across the globe and weaves legacies that we continue to trace and unpick to this day. Lying hidden among old letters and accounts in Derbyshire for over 200 years, its story was recently uncovered through the discovery of its original 18th century label, which reads:

“Penistone sent for negro clothing 1783 which for substance, strength and unchangeable colour, is best adapted to that purpose.”

Created for the British Textile Biennial, this poignant artwork journeyed through the cloth, and the often tragic history that it embodies.