WRESTLE – An exhibition and programme about Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling.
September 7th 2025 to November 2nd 2025
Friday 11am-4pm Saturday 11am -3pm Sunday 11am-3pm
The exhibition tells the story of Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling through:
· original artwork by Cumbrian artist Janet Moss
· contemporary photography by Cumbrian photographer Chris
Routledge
· archive photos, costumes and other heritage objects curated with
the help of Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling Association
· a community embroidery project co-created by Fabricate textile
artists.
Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling is a traditional form of “backhold” wrestling with origins going back to Viking times. It has strong cultural connections with farming and heavy industry: men would wrestle after work in their long-john underwear.
Wrestling was always a family affair. Distinctive velvet centre pieces are worn to protect wrestlers’ modesty and feature elaborate, nature-inspired embroidery work. These days, wrestling is a truly inclusive sport practised by men, women, girls and boys in communities across Cumbria. It is a highlight of country fairs and village sports across the county and beyond.
Janet says “I have always been fascinated by the wrestling at local Sports and Fairs. I began painting wrestlers to explore the extraordinary positions they get into as they wrestle. My abstracted paintings express the movement against the landscape setting of the outdoor ring.”
Chris comments: “Janet and I attended several indoor wrestling practice nights over the winter and were struck by how friendly and welcoming everyone was. Photographing the wrestlers with the specialised cameras and film that I use was a challenge, but I’m looking forward to seeing the results on the wall at the Florence.”
Janet and Chris will be making more work over the summer as they follow the various events, competitions and world championships in the north west right up to the Egremont Crab Fair in September.
The exhibition will run from September 7th 2025 to November 2nd 2025 and be open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Related events will take place throughout this period including wrestling displays, taster sessions, family activities, meet the artists and creative activities. See www.florenceartscentre.com/events or @florencearts on Facebook for details.