Inspired by the tragic story of Cio-Cio San, the central character to Puccini’s opera Madama Butterfly, Dovecot Studios collaborated with Scottish artist Alison Watt to create this exceptional tapestry.
An obi, the sash worn as part of a Japanese kimono, was central to the design of the tapestry, referencing Oriental art and resulting in feminine and sumptuous forms while also conveying the drama of Cio-Cio San’s fate.
Watt worked closely with Dovecot Master Weaver Naomi Robertson to create the tapestry, which began with sample making and colour choosing. This collaborative process began in January 2013 with the tapestry completed in May 2014. The work hangs in the Theatre Royal in Glasgow over three floors in the theatre foyer.
