Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr Declan Bree is looking forward to welcoming the first visit to Ireland and Sligo of the award winning International Red Dress Embroidery Project which will be a centrepiece to mark the forthcoming launch of the Sligo PEACEPLUS Programme.
Exhibition of the International Red Dress Embroidery Project
The Red Dress Project was initiated by British Artist Kirstie Macleod in 2009 to unite people globally across borders and boundaries and has evolved to become a platform for self-expression and an opportunity for marginalised voices to be heard. It consists of 87 panels embroidered over 14 years by 380 people from 51 countries.
The dress’ embroiderers include female refugees from Palestine, Syria and Ukraine, women seeking asylum in the UK from Iran, Iraq, China, Nigeria and Namibia, survivors of war in Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Rwanda and DR Congo, impoverished and disadvantaged women in South Africa, Mexico and Egypt, individuals in Kenya, Japan, Turkey, Jamaica, Sweden, Peru, Czech Republic, Dubai, Afghanistan, Australia, Argentina, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Tobago, Vietnam, Estonia, USA, Russia, Pakistan, Wales, Colombia and England, students from Montenegro, Brazil, Malta, Singapore, Eritrea, Norway, Poland, Finland, Ireland, Romania and Hong Kong as well as artisans from embroidery studios in India and Saudi Arabia.
The Red Dress has been exhibited in major galleries and museums worldwide, including Galerie Maeght in Paris, Art Dubai, Museo De Arte Popular in Mexico City, the National Library of Kosovo, War Childhood Museum in Sarajevo, Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester, Frick Pittsburgh, Fuller Craft Museum in Massachusetts, National Waterfront Museum in Wales, Fashion and Textile Museum in London, Hampi Art Labs in India, an event at the Royal Academy of Arts in London and the Premio Valcellina Textiles Award in Maniago, Italy, where it won first prize in 2012.
Speaking on this unique opportunity for Sligo, Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Declan Bree said
“I am delighted to welcome the Red Dress to Sligo on its first ever visit to Ireland. The Dress has travelled across the world and graced the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. It is a fitting example of collaboration and raising the voices of those who may be excluded from society. We show it in Sligo to promote participation and engagement in the coming Sligo PEACEPLUS projects.”
The Cathaoirleach encouraged the community of Sligo to visit the Red Dress which will be on display at City Hall, Quay Street, Sligo from Monday 12th to Thursday 15th May 2025. Admission is free and exhibition times are as follows:
Monday 12th May: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesday 13th May: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Wednesday 14th May: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Thursday 15th May: Private viewing: 9:00am – 2:00pm/ Open viewing: 2:00pm – 5:00pm
More information about the Red Dress Embroidery Project is available on The Red Dress