Freak Flags
by Emma Henderson
When: 11am - 5pm Saturday 28th June
Where: Old Kilpatrick Parish Church Hall Grounds
Age rating: All welcome
For centuries, textiles have been closely tied to women’s work – and in Roman times, spinning was a highly valued skill. In fact, the best Roman wives were often praised for their wool-spinning talents – we know this because it was carved into their tombstones! The Romans used flags in all sorts of other ways – not just in the military, but as powerful symbols of identity and pride.
Freak Flags is an interactive exhibition that celebrates individuality and self-expression and takes inspiration from Roman flag culture Throughout the day, you are warmly invited to design and add your own ‘freak flag’ to our growing display.
Discover what kind of Roman wife you might have been, explore the vibrant role of colour in the ancient world, and leave your mark on our celebration of difference.
Please note:
Freak Flags is an ongoing interactive exhibition and is open to anyone.
Lead Artist: Emma Henderson
Collaborator on the sewing and spinning!: Cat Auburn
About the Artist
Emma Henderson is an artist and designer working primarily with textiles and natural colour. With a background in both Sociology and Product Design, her practice is rooted in community engagement and environmental consciousness. Since 2021, Emma has focused her practice on the use of natural dyes, developing small-scale, sustainably produced artworks that reflect a deep connection to place and process.
In so doing, she has cultivated advanced knowledge of natural dyeing and sustainable screen-printing techniques, growing and foraging dye plants and refining her process. This has led to a broader exploration of how natural colour reacts with pH modifiers such as iron and citric acid, resulting in distinctive tonal shifts that underpin much of her current work. Emma’s design approach is often participatory, celebrating her love of colour and the individuality that defines us all.
In addition to her studio practice, Emma is a producer for local and national arts organisations where her passions lie in supporting place-based projects and public programming. Her work invites audiences to engage with the natural world, question material culture, and imagine more sustainable ways of making and living.
Roman Fest is made possible through Creative Scotland's Extended Programme Fund
