The name Timorous Beasties comes from the Robert Burns Poem ‘To a Mouse’ (Pronounced moose).
Wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie,
O, what panic's in thy breastie!
Thou need na start awa sae hasty,
Wi' bickering brattle!
I wad be laith to rin an' chase thee,
Wi' murd'ring pattle!...
This Glaswegian design studio was set up in 1990 by Alistair McAuley and Paul Simmons, who met while studying textile design at the Glasgow School of Art. Since its founding Timorous Beasties has been known for its controversial and provocative work with textiles. Working from tradition textiles through to wallpaper design the work produced is always cotemporary and the company is ever expanding, this now includes a London show room.
Timorous Beasties has defined itself by its style. Once being described as “William Morris on acid”. This is perhaps due to the deceptive nature of the designs, on first glance you would be excused for thinking nothing more of them than an early 19th century design. However on closer inspection a contemporary and somewhat horrific vision of Glasgow is depicted, including, of course crack addicts and prostitutes. This contemporary style also incorporates social and political issues. These designs make a statement about who you are when they are decoratively hanging for your wall, and therefore have a very personal and emotive feel. The fabrics are also hand printed on a variety of different materials, giving a richer quality to the work, in my opinion and something hand made always seems of more quality than something churned out by a machine. I really like this textile design company, staying true to their Scottish ruits from their name down to the incredible designs they produce. This apparently is evident to others as the latest endeavour for this team was to create the brochure for the Edinburgh festival, which can be viewed at http://www.eif.co.uk/
Timorous Beasties has defined itself by its style. Once being described as “William Morris on acid”. This is perhaps due to the deceptive nature of the designs, on first glance you would be excused for thinking nothing more of them than an early 19th century design. However on closer inspection a contemporary and somewhat horrific vision of Glasgow is depicted, including, of course crack addicts and prostitutes. This contemporary style also incorporates social and political issues. These designs make a statement about who you are when they are decoratively hanging for your wall, and therefore have a very personal and emotive feel. The fabrics are also hand printed on a variety of different materials, giving a richer quality to the work, in my opinion and something hand made always seems of more quality than something churned out by a machine. I really like this textile design company, staying true to their Scottish ruits from their name down to the incredible designs they produce. This apparently is evident to others as the latest endeavour for this team was to create the brochure for the Edinburgh festival, which can be viewed at http://www.eif.co.uk/
I love that poem! The use of dialect and non-standard language is so appropriate and evocative. The wallpaper's really interesting too... I've been spending a lot of time looking at wallpaper lately and this is really different to what's in most designers' books. It's kind of odd, because at first glance they look almost traditional and very decorative, then you realise what the design's made from. It'd suit a modern and quirky house!
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