Two textile sculptural works - macrogauzes - by the influential weaver Peter Collingwood from the Crafts Study Centre’s collections were on show at Margaret Howell in Wigmore Street, London, from 10th October to 2nd November. Peter Collingwood: Macrogauze Wall Hangings was an exceptionally curated exhibition that treated viewers to the variety and ingenuity of Collingwood’s structural explorations of the potential of weaving. Some of the work lies flat against the wall; others are given a three dimensionality by steel rods positioned in relief, recalling the heddles that lift the warp threads during the process of weaving, held taut in suspension.

Margaret Howell, interviewed by Jack Moss for an article on the exhibition for Wallpaper magazine, stated how Collingwood’s ‘work feels modern but grounded – shaped by a deep understanding of material, and a belief in what can be achieved through simple means and thoughtful design.’

Alongside the CSC macrogauzes are examples from the Crafts Council’s collection and an impressive diversity from private collections. In addition, items from the CSC Collingwood archive provided context and showed the design development that lie behind the macrogauzes. The finished pieces hold their presence among the Margaret Howell clothes, and reflect Collingwood’s fascination with the structures of weaving that was fuelled by extensive travel, learning from and collecting examples of various textile cultures from around the globe. This research is documented in the Peter Collingwood reference/source collection held at the CSC.

The macrogauzes could reference anything from early Bauhaus experiments in form, prototypes of mechanical engineering, to musical composition. The parallels between the language of weaving and music was hopefully not lost on the concert-goers on their way to Wigmore Hall next door.

The only frustration is that the exhibition had such a short run. We hope that other iterations of the show will feature at other venues. For now, the Margaret Howell 2026 wall calendar (available from the CSC shop) provides a good record of this amassing of so many macrograuzes in one place.