Maggie Gregg wins The Gary Pearson Award for Breaking Boundaries 2025!
BA (Hons) Textiles & Surface Design student Maggie Gregg is the recipient of this years Gary Pearson Award for Breaking Boundaries 2025! The award is given to a student who has explored and pushed boundaries, whether they be personal, technical, visual or conceptual. During his time studying with us Gary was on a personal journey of self-discovery and this award is presented annually to a student who has explored their own path, been brave, independent, asked questions of their personal practice and broken boundaries in their own journey.
Maggie said that “winning the Gary Pearson Award for Breaking Boundaries was an emotional, unforgettable and humbling moment. More than anything, I value the way I was welcomed so warmly by both my peers and the faculty. Being accepted as a ‘more than mature’ student made my time at university even more special.”
Maggie’s family encouraged her to join the textiles degree programme she said, “I was running a small business from home when my granddaughter, Robyn, who studied Fine Art at the Northern School of Art, encouraged me to enrol on the course. She assured me that I would enjoy the experience, and she was right. The past 3 years have been and incredible journey, challenging but also very rewarding. The degree programme pushed me in ways I hadn’t anticipated, but the support from the staff was outstanding and this made all the difference.”
Maggie’s moving project is a 10 ft memory bear inspired by her personal experience of Alzheimer’s disease, “as a textile artist, my work is rooted In the exploration of memory, identity, and transformation. I am drawn to the stories embedded within materials and the way textiles can carry a sense of history. Through the reuse of fabrics, mixed media, and collaborative projects, I aim to create art that is both personal, communal and meaningful.”
“This project is not only an artistic exploration but a deeply personal tribute to my husband who passed away 10 years ago after living with Alzheimer’s disease for 4 years and to the lives of individuals and their families whose lives are affected by memory loss. Fragments is not just a tribute, it is also a conversational piece, it is a way to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Fragments is crafted entirely form clothing donated by these communities, symbolising shared stories, collective memories and the complexity of lived experiences.”
“Through this work, I hope to spark meaningful conversations and challenge the stigma often associated with these conditions. Each piece of donated clothing carries a unique story of lived experiences and the hope for greater awareness. Inspired by deconstruction, I have embraced imperfections such as raw edges and layered textures as a metaphor for the passage of time. They remind me that beauty lies in imperfection and that the marks of wear and age are signs of a life fully lived. I hope to continue exploring the intersections of art, memory, identity, transformation and community. I want to create work that resonates with audiences, sparking reflection and discussion while celebrating the lived experiences.”
Speaking of what advice she would give to a student looking to enrol on to our degree programme she said, “my advice to future students would be, the facilities and staff are fantastic at The Northern School of Art, with experts who genuinely want to help you succeed. Whether it’s workshops, equipment, or specialist guidance, take full advantage of what’s available. Make the most of every moment.”
Check out some of Maggie’s work here. You can find out more about some of the support and resources available for those suffering with Alzheimers here.
If you are interested in studying textiles at degree-level we offer a fantastic course that offers students the skills and opportunities needed to carve out exciting careers in the creative industries, make sure you check out our degree page.
