| Description: | This arpillera honours the life and legacy of Pat Hume; this remarkable woman who stood shoulder to shoulder with her husband John for over six decades. She actively supported him in the various stages of his political life, responded to local community concerns in his absence, raised their family of five, and, in the early days, taught full time.
Linda was impelled to create this arpillera on hearing of Pat’s death, knowing she had visited curator Roberta Bacic’s home in August 2021 in connection with the textile John Hume, Peacemaker. A series of weekly phone calls and email exchanges between Roberta and Linda commemced. Core images and designs were debated, drafted and refined, culminating in two central images framed by a multitude of tributes to Pat.
In the smaller image, we see her beside John, fully engaging in and supporting his work whilst also attending to family matters. The larger image depicts John beside her when she was conferred with an honorary degree from Ulster University at Magee College Derry in 2010. This was awarded in recognition of her work in her local community and beyond: “On both sides of the Atlantic, Pat Hume is seen as a person of calm judgement, courage and resilience who has made a very significant contribution to building stability”. (6 July 2010), “Honorary Degree for Pat Hume” Ulster University
In 2018, marking the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, Pat was honoured with a lifetime achievement award by the Irish Red Cross: “recognising the role Pat Hume played in Derry and her wider contribution to the politics which ultimately provided the basis for the Good Friday Agreement." (10 September 2018), “Pat Hume to get lifetime achievement award” BBC News
For her family, aware of the demands on both parents, particularly their mother, who dealt with local constituency queries when John was away: “None of us understood just how our mother coped…she managed to respond to demands from all sides and maintain a core of sanity, on which we all leant heavily”. (2nd August 2021) “First anniversary of John Hume's death: A special reflection from his family” Derry Journal
"Pat Hume" was exhibited for the first time in Ulster University Magee campus, alongside John Hume, Peacemaker (Launch of John and Pat Hume Commemorative Textiles, 28 January 2022). Side by side on the walls of Magee library, as in their lifelong partnership of over 60 years, their presence confronts us, urging us to build on their work towards sustainable peace.
Transcript of interview with Linda Adams, (March 2022, Brandon Hamber)
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