Opposites (Embroidery, 2018)

Opposites is based on McDougall’s PhD research on Masonic embroidery made in Ireland. It is the researcher’s interpretation of the Chamber of Reflection, a small room found in some Masonic Rites. The room is entered by the candidate before their initiation ceremony, and is designed to induce the feeling of self-reflection, a modern form of the ancient cave of initiation. McDougall is interested in documenting embroidered Irish Masonic objects, and finding out about the people who made and wore them. It is widely accepted that many of these textile artefacts were made by women, wives and daughters of Masonic men. Therefore, by investigating these artefacts we can look at the untold and limited role of Irish women within the Freemasonry.