A rare and previously unseen tapestry by Eileen Mayo DBE has been made into a new large scale tapestry in collaboration with the West Dean Tapestry Studio for a major exhibition opening this season at Towner Eastbourne.

During the Covid-19 lockdown, West Dean Tapestry Studio has relocated to the kitchen or loft space of each weaver, and weaving continues - albeit on a much smaller scale. Trainee Weaver Emma Straw has been creating a series of striking small tapestries inspired directly by the Empress of the Insects project that she was working on in the Tapestry Studio before the lockdown. The Tapestry is a translation of a fantastical drawing by Edward James, The Empress of the Insects at her Midsummer Night’s Ball created by James in 1983.

West Dean Tapestry Studio is one of the only professional Tapestry Studios in the UK and has been working with contemporary artists and designers to translate their images into woven tapestry since 1976. The Studio will be taking part in PLATFORM: ​THREADING FORMS at London Art Fair (22 - 26 January 2020 with Preview 21 January). West Dean’s Master Weaver Designer Philip Sanderson, along with his colleagues will be translating an image The Empress of the Insects drawn by Edward James on June 22, 1983. 

West Dean Tapestry Studio is working on a tapestry conceived and commissioned by the Charterhouse; the almshouse and heritage site in London with a strong emphasis on learning. Uniquely but fittingly, the Charterhouse has involved a team of children to create the design, working with the internationally acclaimed UK tapestry studio's expert weavers. The project has been funded by Neil and Emma Redcliffe.

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.

The internationally renowned Studio is also delighted to announce a new commission especially for the NEW Artists Meet Their Makers exhibition by highly acclaimed collaborative artists, Biggs & Collings.