Willie Rodger: Lost Ball

Willie Rodger’s linocuts observed the Scottish world with a kindly and amusing eye. The lightness of the spirit belies the calculation of the design and the sheer craftsmanship of his selected medium.

As the artist himself reflected, “I enjoy the discipline of lino, the simplicity. It’s a clean-cut medium. You have to think clearly before cutting. One slip and it’s ruined. There’s no pussyfooting around.”

Translated into tapestry, this piece has an even greater impact without losing the spirit of Rodger’s prints. Illustrating a man poking through grass looking for a lost ball, the sharp outlines and geometric patterns on the figure’s clothing are executed deftly by Dovecot weavers. The distinctive style of the artist and the interpretation of the weavers come together to form a striking, witty composition.