West Dean Tapestry Studio - photo by Thom Atkinson

Tapestry Studio

One of the only professional tapestry studios in the UK

The Tapestry Studio has been working with contemporary artists and designers to translate their images into woven tapestry since 1976. Since weaving 23 tapestries for The Henry Moore Foundation, 1976 - 1987, the Studio has worked with artists John Piper, Howard Hodgkin, Eileen Agar, Matty Grunberg, Philip Sutton, Bill Jacklin and Adrian Berg.

More recent projects include The Fallowfield with Eva Rothschild, five tapestries with Tracey Emin and work with Martin Creed on, Work No.1683 for What's the point of it? at the Hayward Gallery. As well as artists, the Tapestry Studio has produced work for clients including the Houses of Parliament, The Mercers Company, The White Cube Gallery and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

It has extensive experience of heritage tapestry projects, including The Hunt of the Unicorn, a series of seven tapestries based on 15th century originals commissioned by Historic Scotland. It was the biggest weaving project undertaken in the UK for 100 years, involved 18 international weavers and took 13 years to complete in 2015.

West Dean Tapestry Studio to showcase new tapestries by three major contemporary artists

West Dean Tapestry Studio announces major 2025 commissions from Eva Rothschild, Chila Burman, and Linder, building momentum toward its 50th anniversary in 2026.

Image credits:

Artist Chila Burman with Philip Sanderson from West Dean Tapestry Studio discussing her work Cosmological World for Chila Welcomes You at IWM North © IWM

Eva Rothschild in front of tapestry commission at Sadler's Wells East image credit Rich Lakos resize

Linder - Photo by Hazel Gaskin

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Artist in Residence Eva Rothschild working with Philip Sanderson at West Dean College

Collaboration with Eva Rothschild

Eva Rothschild, a leading sculptor and artist-in-residence at the College during 2017-18 collaborated with tutor and Studio Leader, Philip Sanderson at the West Dean Tapestry Studio. The result of the collaboration was her first tapestry, The Fallowfield, which was acquired by Tate in 2019 and part of the Tate Britain Exhibition Walk Through British Art: 60 Years. It was also on show at Collect 2018.

Eva is primarily known as a sculptor, although she has always engaged with ways of making associated with textiles, most specifically weaving and rug making, and has a longstanding interest in the ways that artists have engaged with textile making. This commission, coordinated by Studio Leader, Philip Sanderson, gave Rothschild the opportunity to learn the principles of tapestry weaving with expert tutorage in the professional studio. Learning these principles has informed the final design which was woven by master weavers. The collaboration began following our Tapestry Open Call in 2016, possibly the first of its kind in the UK.

The Fallowfield is pictured below.

Blue tapestry in the West Dean Tapestry Studio

Contact us

For further details on commissioning a tapestry, please contact Philip Sanderson, Studio Leader, who will be pleased to provide further information or arrange a visit to the Studio.

Tel: 01243 818233
Email: [email protected]

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