An exhibition about Cumberland & Westmorland wrestling will be held later thias year in Egremont.
Wrestle, which will also include activities, will be held in September at Florence Arts Centre.
Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling is a traditional form of backhold wrestling, with origins going back to Viking times.
It has strong cultural connections with farming and heavy industry: men would wrestle after work in their longjohn underwear.
Wrestling was always a family affair. Distinctive velvet centre pieces are worn to protect wrestlers’ modesty and feature elaborate, nature-inspired embroidery work.
Today, wrestling is a truly inclusive sport practised by men, women, girls and boys in communities across Cumbria and is a highlight of country fairs and village sports across the county and beyond.
The exhibition will tell the story of Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling through:
- original artwork by Cumbrian artist Janet Moss
- contemporary photography by Cumbrian photographer Chris Routledge
- archive photos, costumes and other heritage objects curated with the help of Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling Association
- a community embroidery project co-created by Fabricate textile artists.
Janet said: “I have always been fascinated by the wrestling at local sports and fairs. I began painting wrestlers to explore the extraordinary positions they get into as the wrestle.
“My abstracted paintings express the movement against the landscape setting of the outdoor ring.”
Chris added: “Janet and I attended several indoor wrestling practice nights over the winter and were struck by how friendly and welcoming everyone was.
“Photographing the wrestlers with the specialised cameras and film that I use was a challenge, but I’m looking forward to seeing the results on the wall at Florence.”
Janet and Chris will be making more work over the summer as they follow the various events, competitions and world championships in the North West, up to the
Egremont Crab Fair in September.
The exhibition will run from September 7 to November 2 and be open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Related events will take place throughout this period including wrestling displays, taster sessions, family activities, meet the artists and creative activities.
“This has been a lovely project to work on,” said Sue Mackay, director at Florence Arts Centre. “It’s great to see new art about ancient traditions.
“I hope it will interest lots of local people. They have already been involved by sharing wrestling stories and photos, working with the Crab Fair, embroidering motifs for a replica costume and I can’t wait to host wrestling at Florence. We hope it’ll inspire young people to take up the sport.”
