Place

New Brunswick, Canada

Date

Mid- to late 20^th century

DIMENSIONS in centimetres

100 x 54

Materials & techniques

Burlap, wool; Hooked

Credit

Gift of Margaret Light

ID

Textile Museum of Canada T2008.23.8; T2008.23.9

In 1952, Lydia and Raymond Scott were forced to leave their farm in Summer Hill, New Brunswick, when it was expropriated by the government. They moved to nearby Gagetown, where, saddened by the loss of their land, Raymond became ill and Lydia recommended rug hooking as a distraction and therapy. They worked together to produce their rugs; Raymond did the hooking, while Lydia drew the designs based on pictures of their farm and animals. She also chose the colours because Raymond was colour-blind.
 
Raymond hooked every day beginning around 7:00 in the morning until 11:00 at night, producing an astonishing two rugs per week. The Scotts became so well known for their rugs that that they became known as “The Gagetown hookers.” The simple design and colour palette of these rugs underpins their joyful expression.