Science Gallery London

Threads of Protest appeared at the Science Gallery in London from 5th May to 31st July 2026.

This film of Threads of Protest was created by Fabio Vieira. It captures the gallery space and how the artwork was presented. In the background on loop was my Freebirth video exploring women’s experiences of freebirthing in the UK.

Exhibition wall titled "Choice in Childbirth" displaying knitted and crocheted squares with messages advocating for rights, autonomy, and protest against violence and coercion in childbirth.

The Science Gallery was a very different space to The Atkinson. The designers decided to give the crochet panels room to breathe, which meant not all the donated squares were displayed. As the panels were all different sizes, there had to be some consideration as to how they would fit together in the small space that was available. Nevertheless, even with a smaller amount of squares on display, the colours and the variety of designs are impactful. Reece Straw was hired by the gallery to capture all these images.

Crochet art exhibit for Threads of Protest with a colourful abstract sculpture of a human figure on the left, and a framed artwork of a woman on the right, with a glass display case in the centre showing amigurumi scene.

Powerful Birthing Woman had been very vulnerable at The Atkinson and during the exhibition was damaged and manhandled - a sad indictment to the reality of how the world interacts with women’s bodies. At the Science Gallery, we decided to secure her differently - although unfortunately she was still sexualised and inappropriately manhandled by some visitors.

Pink background with black embroidered or stitched text saying "Threads of Protest". The text is made using crochet stitches.

At the Science Gallery, we were really fortunate to have these graphics designed by Marcia Mihotich, who incorporated crochet pattern stitches into the font. Very clever!

A public engagement textile art display with the phrase 'What should care look like?' decorated with colourful embroidered strings.

The exhibition contained a public engagement artwork in which visitors answered a question using thread. What Should Care Look Like invited people to respond using coloured yarn depicting how important they considered certain aspects of maternity care.