How do you frame a tapestry?
Almost any artist will tell you that presentation is at least as important as the work itself. Sloppy framing or poor attention to detail suggest lack of confidence in the work or lack of commitment to it. Small tapestries also present their additional problems. There…
Textiles at the Venice Biennale: part 2
As I said in Part 1, the Venice Biennale is thought of as the Olympics of the art world. It means that you can see art which would never normally cross your path. Where else can you see the work of artists from Uganda or…
Textiles in the Venice Biennale: part 1
Detail of Gõegõe In October 2022, I was thrilled to be able to visit the Venice Biennale for the first time. I spent only a short time there with a friend, so we had to pack three days full of gallery visits, taking only short…
What not to say to a tapestry weaver
No doubt every professional suffers the indignity of ignorant remarks, once people know what their calling is, from wanting a medical diagnosis at a drinks party to those who think they understand police procedure from watching television. Tapestry weavers are in the same boat. Whether…
Thanks, Brexit
I have regularly participated in international exhibitions in Europe for many years. There are several juried shows, ie a sort of competition where judges decide whether your tapestry is suitable to be included. So in December of 2020, having had a tapestry accepted, I sent…
Wow! I have a thousand Instagram followers
I have more than 1000 followers on Instagram. Whoopee! A large proportion of new followers are nice-looking men in their 50s or 60s who are widowers. They are generals in the US Army or doctors, often surgeons, or at least wealthy, and they profess to…
Why you are paying for failure when you buy a work of art
Potential buyers of art sometimes complain about the high prices. Part of the reason for steep prices is that you are paying for failures. At the heart of artistic creation is experimentation, trying out things that haven’t been done in that exact way before. Ideas…
Is it a tapestry? Yes.
It makes you want to scream. If you type ‘tapestry’ into Amazon, you find that a tapestry can be yours for £4.99! Often they are described as ‘hippie’ or ‘mandala’ and may be 100% polyester. One site states, ‘Hang your tapestries up, use them as…
Tapestry: Changing Concepts – exhibition highlights
Tapestry: Changing Concepts opened at the City Art Centre, Edinburgh in November and will run until March 2022. The show looks fantastic, with many pieces I would be happy to take home with me. We have also had some good press coverage: ‘Fresh Fruit of…
How to put together a tapestry show
In about two weeks, a big exhibition of tapestry will open at the City Art Centre in Edinburgh. Four years in the making, Tapestry: Changing Concepts is a collaboration between the venue and Scottish Tapestry Artists Regrouped (STAR*). Why does a show need four years…