On 13 September 1976, West Dean Tapestry Studio received its first commission: a tapestry based on a drawing by artist Henry Moore, commissioned by his daughter Mary Moore.

It was the beginning of 50 years of artists, designers and weavers working together to translate ideas into tapestry. That first commission led to a series of 23 tapestries for the Henry Moore Foundation, produced between 1976 and 1987. Since then, the Studio has worked with some of the biggest names in contemporary art, including Tracey Emin, Martin Creed, Eva Rothschild and Michael Armitage.

Recent projects include The Fallowfield with Eva Rothschild, now in the Tate Collection, five tapestries with Tracey Emin and Work No.1683 with Martin Creed for the Hayward Gallery.

Alongside contemporary commissions, the Studio has built a reputation for major heritage projects. One of its largest was The Hunt of the Unicorn, a series of seven tapestries based on 15th-century originals and commissioned by Historic Scotland for Stirling Castle. Completed in 2015, the project took 13 years, involved 18 international weavers and was the biggest weaving project undertaken in the UK for 100 years.

The Studio has also created work for the Houses of Parliament, The Mercers’ Company, White Cube Gallery and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Today, West Dean Tapestry Studio remains one of only two professional tapestry studios in the UK. The team continues to work with artists and designers, combining traditional weaving skills with contemporary ideas to create new commissions.

The Studio is also an important part of learning at West Dean. Studio Leader Philip Sanderson, who joined the Tapestry Studio in 1993, teaches across the College, including on the Foundation Diploma in Tapestry Weaving.

The two-year, part-time Foundation Diploma gives students the opportunity to develop their own creative practice alongside professional weavers, with access to the specialist knowledge, facilities and equipment of the Tapestry Studio. Fine Art students specialising in weaving can also work within this environment, learning from the Studio team and using its specialist facilities as part of their studies.

From that first Henry Moore commission in 1976 to the work being woven today, the Studio has continued to bring together artists, designers, students and skilled weavers.

Learn more about the West Dean Tapestry Studio