EXHIBITIONS AND EVENTS
Listed below are a selection of textile-related exhibitions and events. Click on the title (underlined) to be taken to the relevant website and learn more. Events at the same venue are grouped together. We hope you enjoy your visit – whether online or in person. Or visit our Facebook page which is regularly updated with exciting new textile events.
This exhibition delves deep into the Embroiderers’ Guild Collection to reveal fascinating and inspiring examples of stitched flowers – both modern and historical – from around the world. The exhibition is based on this beautiful book by Annette Collinge. EXTENDED until December 2024
Discover Bucks Museum, Church Street, Aylesbury HP20 2QP
See also talks, workshops and courses by the Embroiderers’ Guild.
The most wide-ranging exhibition in the UK dedicated to Japanese folk-craft, including textiles, well worth a visit.
Until 22nd September 2024
The William Morris Gallery, Lloyd Park, Forest Road, London E17 4PP
HAND AND LOCK; in person and online classes
Hand and Lock offer a wide range of classes, courses and examination opportunities in subjects that reflect their distinctive character and heritage.
This inspiring exhibition shows how thirty contemporary artists and makers have responded to works by Edward Bawden in The Higgins Bedford Collection, textile artists included. Highly recommended.
Until 13th October 2024
The Higgins Bedford, Castle Lane, Bedford MK40 3XD
MARY FARMER; A LIFE IN TAPESTRY
From the late 1960s to the 1990s Mary Farmer was at the forefront of radical textile art, creating striking, abstract tapestries. The exhibition celebrates the donation of the Mary Farmer archive to the Crafts Study Centre.
Until 7th September 2024
Crafts Study Centre, University for the Creative Arts, Falkner Road, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7DS
Using money itself as a medium for political commentary and satire, this exhibition features over 100 objects from artists including Andy Warhol, Grayson Perry and Banksy, also featuring Susan Stockwell’s Money Dress.
Until 5th January 2025
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.
COSTUMES OF BANDO TAMASABURO V
A free exhibition of six spectacular kimonos belonging to the kabuki actor Bandō Tamasaburō V will be on display in the Textiles Gallery for a year. Tamasaburō is the most popular and celebrated onnagata (male actor who performs female roles) currently on stage.
Until 8th December 2024
Textiles Gallery 5, Lower ground floor, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.
MA UKO TO MA KAI; QUILTING THE HAWAIIAN LANDSCAPE
Journey through the Hawaiian landscape in this special exhibition, a unique collaboration showcasing the contemporary works of the Honolulu-based Poakalani Quilters, the London School of Hula and 'Ori, the innovative designs of the fashion designer Manaola Yap and artist Solomon Enos, and more! See here for film-clip.
Until 30th June 2025
Pitt Rivers Museum, Parks Road, Oxford OX13PW.
SHELTON TAPESTRY MAP; OXFORDSHIRE
Woven in wool and silk, this huge Elizabethan tapestry map is currently on display at the Weston Library. See also a film by the Bodleian’s Maps team, about this spectacular tapestry map.
Blackwell Hall, Weston Library, Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3BG
Stitched to commemorate the Millenium and made of over 130 separate pieces of embroidery; the Village Panel celebrates Sunbury’s character and location next to the River Thames.
Enjoy a video of the embroidery through this link.
Sunbury Embroidery Gallery, The Walled Garden, Thames Street, Sunbury-on-Thames TW16 6AB
An exhibition by international award-winning botanical artist Lucy T Smith.
Until 13th October 2024
Sunbury Embroidery Gallery, The Walled Garden, Thames Street, Sunbury-on-Thames TW16 6AB
LAND, SKY AND GOLD – Kate Wells
An exhibition showcasing the drawings, paintings and machine embroidered work of textile artist Kate Wells.
15th October – 15th December 2024
Sunbury Embroidery Gallery, The Walled Garden, Thames Street, Sunbury-on-Thames TW16 6AB
OUT SHOPPING: THE DRESSES OF MARION AND MAUD SAMBOURNE (1880-1910)
An immersive exhibition, showcasing hardly seen, rare surviving examples by leading dressmakers of the era. Until 20th October 2024
Leighton House, 12 Holland Park Road, London W14 8LZ open Wednesdays to Mondays and Sambourne House 18 Stafford Terrace, London W8 7BH open Wednesdays to Sundays, both
10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
This exhibition explores how fashion phenomenon Biba blossomed to become the world’s first lifestyle label.
Until 8th September 2024 Fashion and Textile Museum, London SE1 3XF
OUTLAWS: FASHION RENEGADES OF 80’S LONDON
This exhibition centres around the legendary nightclub Taboo, opened by designer and performance artist Leigh Bowery in 1985.
Opening 4th October 2024 – 9th March 2025
Fashion and Textile Museum, London SE1 3XF
See also WORKSHOPS and TALKS at the FTM
TALES OF TEXTILES: THE RSN COLLECTION IN FOCUS
Highlighting the life of key pieces from the RSN’s Collection and Archive with a focus on English embroidery, this display spans three centuries of stories of domestic and professional stitching. Opening 25th September 2024 until June 2025 Booking OPEN
Royal School of Needlework, Hampton Court Palace, Surrey KT8 9AU
Classes and courses here See also the RSN Stitchbank
The first exhibition of its kind exploring the extraordinary career of fashion model Naomi Campbell.
Until 6th April 2025
The V and A Museum, London
An opportunity to explore a free trail across V and A South Kensington celebrating Taylor Swift, with a range of her iconic looks on display.
Opens Saturday 27th July until 8th September 2024
The V and A Museum, London
A spectacular sequence of twelve huge textile panels by Jacqui Parkinson retelling the creation story in the book of Genesis. This exhibition is one of the largest textile projects by a single artist ever!
Until 26th August 2024
Southwark Cathedral, London
RE-EMBROIDERING BLACKWORK, AN UNSTITCHED COIF AND OTHER WORKS
A Free entry exhibition arising out of Toni Buckby’s PhD research in collaboration with the
V and A.
Wednesday 14TH – Saturday 17TH August 2024 (Wed – Fri 10 am – 4 pm, Sat 10 am– 2 pm)
For talk and workshops buy tickets here
Highgate Literacy and Scientific Institution, London N6 6BS
With over 40 works, some rarely seen in the UK, this exhibition brings together works on paper, paintings, textile pieces and sculptures made during the artist’s seven-decade career.
Until 6th October 2024
Compton Verney, Warwickshire CV35 9HZ
1st – 4th August 2024 See here for Textile Galleries listing
NEC, Birmingham
THE KNITTING AND STITCHING SHOWS 2024
10th – 13th October 2024 at Alexandra Palace, London See here for Textile Galleries listing
7th – 10th November 2024 at the Titanic Business Centre, Belfast See here for Textile Galleries listing
21st - 24th November 2024 at HCC, Harrogate See here for Textile Galleries listing