The opening of COLLECT (22 - 25 February 2018) will see the
unveiling of a tapestry called Thefallowfield by artist Eva
Rothschild (below right) in collaboration with the Master Weavers
at West Dean Tapestry Studio, the professional studio at West Dean
College of Arts and Conservation. This 16-month collaboration is
the result of an Open Call, which was announced in June 2016. The
call required bold and imaginative ideas from artists who needed no
previous experience of working with tapestry. Rothschild's winning
design enabled the creation of a hand-woven tapestry of her design
- as well as the opportunity for her to undertake a three-week
residency at the College working closely with Master Weavers to
expand her knowledge of the weaving process and develop her final
design.
West Dean Tapestry Studio specialises in
commissions from contemporary artists and has built up a strong
reputation for interpretive skills when translating work into hand
woven tapestries. Over the past 40-years the studio has developed
an outstanding portfolio, including commissions from Tracey Emin,
Martin Creed, John Piper, Eileen Agar, Basil Beattie, and Henry
Moore.
"It was a really great experience working on the piece with Master
Weaver Philip Sanderson. I was able to learn a new set of skills
which will continue to inform my wider practice and to create a new
work in a medium I had long been interested in but had not
previously had access to." - Eva Rothschild
"Eva's design stood out immediately in its dynamism and for the way
it pushed the medium of tapestry. It was a welcome challenge for me
to translate her vision and I hope she is proud of the result." -
Phil Sanderson, Master Weaver at West Dean Tapestry Studio
COLLECT takes place 22 - 25 February 2018
Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York's HQ, King's Road, London, SW3
4RY
West Dean Tapestry Studio www.westdeantapestry is part of The Edward James
Foundation, a charitable trust also comprising West Dean College of
Arts and Conservation, West Dean Gardens and West Dean Estate.
Charity No. 1126084.
West Dean College of Arts and Conservation is one of the few
college in the UK offering Tapestry Weaving at postgraduate level.
www.westdean.org.uk
West Dean College, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 OQZ www.westdean.org.uk @westdeancollege
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