Contemporary Art reinterpreted by West Dean Tapestry Studio

Artists Meet Their Makers is a celebration of the skill and imagination of West Dean Tapestry Studio’s Master Weavers. The studio was set up by West Dean Founder Edward James, and has worked with many leading modern and contemporary artists including Henry Moore, John Piper, Basil Beattie, Michael Brennand-Wood and Tracey Emin. A number of new commissions are currently in development and will be unveiled at the exhibition, including Philip Sanderson’s design based on ink drawings by Rebecca Salter, which he will be weaving in the gallery on selected days. A new film by R&A Collaborations shows Katharine Swailes in conversation with Emma Biggs & Matthew Collings, with whom she developing an interpretation of a painting.

The exhibition is organised by curator Liz Cooper and includes new works from outstanding previous projects, including ‘House of Tunnels’, woven by Katharine Swailes from a painting by Basil Beattie in 2015, and ‘Transformer',  created by Philip Sanderson from a design by Michael Brennand-Wood in 2012. Brennand-Wood said, ‘At a certain stage, I handed the image over to Philip the weaver. I keep thinking it’s like handing over the master tapes to be re-mixed. It was really exciting to see how the imagery is interpreted once the weaving begins’. Original works by the two Master Weavers are also on show.

Master Weaver Phil Sanderson will be weaving in the Gallery during the exhibition. Please contact the Crafts Study Centre to confirm the times.