In pics: The stunning artwork fronting Paisley’s UK City of Culture bid

FROM Gerry Rafferty to the birth of punk and an infamous snail trapped in a bottle of ginger beer, it is history with a Paisley pattern.

And the threads of that past will literally run through the town’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2021.

J&P Coats thread has been woven into the cloth covers of the bid brochures given to judges who, in December, will decide to give the title to either Paisley, Stoke, Coventry, Sunderland or Swansea.

The ancient thread is historically the town’s most famous export.

And Jean Cameron, Paisley 2021 bid director, said: “It isn’t every town that can claim to have literally woven its past into its future.”

Each of the 25 cover designs is a unique work of art, featuring the work of locals and artists, inspired by people and landmarks in the town’s culture and history. Jean added: “We wanted to present something very special to reflect the diverse ways in which people express their creativity in Paisley.”

The benefits could be huge, providing a £175 million boost to the town’s economy and creating 5000 jobs. They could also expect two million visitors to a programme of world class cultural events.

Singer Paolo Nutini, a famous Buddie, last week backed the bid saying: “It’s about restoring the faith in Paisley.”

Here, we take a look at the artists and stories behind some of the bid covers.

White Cart Loom artists Vickey Islay and Paul Smith created a stunning representation of the Paisley pattern, inspired by the freshwater pearl mussels that used to thrive in the River Cart which runs through the town.

The Paisley digital artist’s stunning image comes from an experimental film – River Moss – showing Paisley’s Italianate Town Hall visited by an urban fox. Bovine said: “I have always found the town’s architecture a great inspiration.”

The Thomas Coats Memorial Church is regarded as the Baptist cathedral of Europe, a magnificent Gothic church that dominates the Paisley skyline. The abstract artwork was created by the disabled. Disability Resource Centre volunteer Kevin Cantwell said: “Collaborating on artwork shows people that despite limitations, they can achieve great things.”

Ken MacDonald, 58, of the famous Houston Kiltmakers, in the town, said: “The colours capture the positive effects the 2021 bid is having on the town. Families come here from all over the world to trace their ancestral background.”

Jason B was one of a group of prisoners from HMP Low Moss inspired to create a stark image of the iconic building. Low Moss Learning Manager Ruth Faccini said: “Many inmates call Paisley home, and know more than most about deprivation. They recognise what a winning bid might bring to their town.”

Architect Graeme Andrew was introduced to the Observatory by the Queen’s sculptor Sandy Stoddart. He said: “When I researched the observatory I discovered the undocumented beauty of its geometry. The building is beautiful.”

Dyane Lanez designed a cushion to reflect the bright colours used in the 2021 bid. The knitwear specialist said: “I wanted this one piece of fabric to be exciting and tactile, to represent the many aspects of Paisley’s history of weaving and textiles.”

Dermott Egan, 58, drew on the famous ‘snail in a bottle’ case which shaped personal claims’ law worldide, sparking a million lawsuits, making Paisley a place of pilgrimage for wealthy American “tort” lawyers. In the 1930s, May Donoghue made legal history when she sued the owners of the Wellmeadow Café, in Paisley, after finding a snail in her bottle of ginger beer. The judgement established the modern law of negligence.

Weaver and curator of textiles at Paisley Museum, Dr Dan Coughlan, used an ancient hand loom to weave a bolt of cloth based on the 1,200 shawls in the town’s unique collection. He said: “Sprig is based on some of the earliest shawls and the pattern for which Paisley is renowned. The bid is an act of confidence in the people and value of our town.”

Caroline Gormley’s father Tommy, a chef at the Bungalow Bar and Silver Thread pubs, welcomed punk bands such as The Rezillos, The Clash, The Jam and Echo and the Bunnymen.  Caroline, 55, said: “In the 1970s, dad was head chef and welcomed the bands; he even let people who couldn’t pay sneak in the back door to hear the music. Because of him, Paisley’s punk scene was ahead of its time.

Brian Denholm, 68, from Bishopton, battled back from the stroke which almost killed him by attending art classes at Glenburn Stroke and Disability support Group. He is ‘honoured’ that his portrait of pop legend Rafferty is featured in the 2021 bid.

When pop star Paolo Nuttini asked sign painter Rachel Miller to create a sign for local record shop, Feel The Groove, for a concert he is planning, it led her to discover family history. She based her 2021 design on an old shop sign she had spotted. It turned out her great, great grandfather, a joiner, worked in the shop.  She said: “I hope it inspires others to look into their own heritage. Paisley’s past is rich and changed Scotland in many ways.”

A collaboration of eleven recovery groups, Sunshine Recovery Café, The Men’s Shed, Renfrewshire Drug and Alcohol Partnership and Family Support Group. Artist in residence Nadine Kelly said: “The broken Paisley pattern shows the pieces of our past – but we are building lives again and looking to the future.”

The east window of the Abbey, where William Wallace was educated and Marjory, daughter of The Bruce, lies rest, has been recreated in cloth patchwork by the Paisley Patchers – local women who keep alive the art of quilting.

Textiles designer and mum of two Mariam Syed, 33, who came from Pakistan 11 years ago, makes prayer mats for children. She said: “I’ve had amazing support from Paisley’s InCube to develop my art into a business. I love this town, people are so committed. If we win the bid, so many businesses like mine will benefit.”

Tattoo by Low Moss inmate Willie W shows a heart and Paisley pattern and was inspired by art classes at the prison. Learning Manager Ruth Faccini said: “It pays to channel offenders’ energies to positive ends, to build their self worth and help them learn new skills.”