One to Twenty

One to Twenty is a large piece of inflatable sculpture measuring 7 x 13 metres, which traces the exterior shape of glove patterns used to create the ‘Firemaster’ gloves at Southcombe Gloves at Stoke-sub-Hamdon at a precise ratio of
1:20. Artists collaboration Barber Swindells (Claire Barber and Steve Swindells duo) were fascinated by the process of glove-making specifically by Southcombe Brothers. This is one of the few surviving glove making family businesses in the area producing gloves using a combination of traditional skills, tools and machines, as well as new technologies. Their specially designed lime green ‘Firemaster’ gloves are much loved by firemen, and account for more than 80% of the UK market. The leather becomes flexible when wet and hardens as it dries, and then becomes flexible again after being worn in action, and the sculpture is built to reflect these flexible properties.