AN exhibition of rag rugs has been launched in Middlesbrough in tribute to Winifred Nicholson – some of them on display for the first time.

The latest show at the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA) features the exceptional artistry of Winifred Nicholson (1893-1981) and her connection to Cumbria through the craft of rag rug making.

Winifred Nicholson was an artist whose career spanned more than 60 years and had a huge impact on art in the 20th century. She first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1914 and continued to showcase her work in solo exhibitions throughout her life, with her final show opening shortly after her death in 1981.

While she painted portraits, landscapes and abstract works, Nicholson is best known for her vibrant flower paintings, often framed by views of the world beyond. She chose flowers for their constant expression of colour, achieving a luminous quality in her art.

This exhibition is a tribute to Winidred's creative collaboration with the rural communities of Cumbria and delves into the traditional craft of 'hooky rugs', telling the story of the significant revival of the craft that Nicholson championed during the 1960s and 1970s.

Elinor Morgan, artistic director at MIMA said: “Contemporary rag rug making has seen a resurgence in recent years, with rag rugging embraced by many modern crafters and makers. Though this exhibition focuses on Cumbria, there is a rich history of rag rug production in the Tees Valley and the wider North. This revival highlights the enduring appeal and relevance of these traditional making in contemporary creative practices.”

This exhibition shines a spotlight on Winifred's longstanding relationship with her rural neighbours, particularly the women of the farming community, who crafted rugs to her designs, using old fabrics and textiles.

Art historian Jovan Nicholson, grandson of Winifred, created the exhibition, which reveals how Nicholson oversaw the production of more than 180 rugs in collaboration with local makers, her family and friends. The 28 rag rugs on display span nearly five decades, with pieces dating from the 1920s through to the 1970s.

Jovan said : “One of the problems with rag rugs is that by their very nature of being placed on a floor and hard use very few survive. What is exciting is to have found so many rugs with lively images, and many of them in excellent condition.”

The exhibition also features eight of Winifred’s paintings, which highlight the pastoral beauty of Cumbria and its people, as well as a wooden sculpture by Ben Nicholson, former husband of Winifred.