Making:50

Celebrating innovative textile practice by the Textile Study Group

To celebrate their 50^th anniversary in 2023, the Textile Study Group presents Making:50.

For half a century the Textile Study Group has been at the forefront of innovative making, teaching, and textile art practice. Originally established to support tutors of embroidery, the group has evolved and grown in stature and is now one of the UK’s most esteemed and respected groups of textile artists and tutors.

Members are nationally and internationally recognised for their forward-thinking and challenging approaches to teaching and making, and many are published authors of best-selling textile, art, and design books. Several members have won prizes and awards for their outstanding work in the world of textiles, as have their students.

Making:50 is a significant touring exhibition to mark a huge milestone in the group’s history. All 24 members responded to the challenge of creating a new artwork which includes an element of 50 – either obviously or obscurely. No two works are alike. Each piece expresses an intimacy, an insight, into the interests, inspiration and practice of each artist. From important issues that affect us all, to quirky and humbling reflections across the last five decades, each artwork you see has been individually crafted and painstakingly stitched from a myriad of materials including salvaged plastics, foraged fibres, upcycled slides and found or treasured items.

To support Making:50 the Textile Study Group have published a bespoke, limited edition book, and are running an exciting programme of online discussions, entitled Making Conversation. The group are also offering a series of gallery workshops and Meet the Artist events.

For more information about the Textile Study Group go to: https://textilestudygroup.co.uk

Participating Artists:

Lois Blackburn, Bobby Britnell, Jenny Bullen, Sarah Burgess, Penny Burnfield, Jean Draper, Janet Edmunds, Alice Fox, Sue Green,
Kay Greenlees, Gwen Hedley, Ruth Issett, Jane McKeating, Siân Martin, Jan Miller, Sheila Mortlock, Amarjeet K Nandhra,
Mandy Pattullo, Polly Pollock, Shelley Rhodes, Mary Sleigh, Julia Triston, Dorothy Tucker, Ann Wheeler