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.

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    • Linder at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 2025. Photo: Charlotte Cullen. Stylist: Rebecca Palmer. Make-up: Kala Williams.

    Collaboration with Linder Sterling

    Seminal feminist artist Linder Sterling collaborated with the Tapestry Studio at West Dean College including tutor and Studio Leader, Philip Sanderson on the costume for A kind of glamour about me, a major new performance work co-commissioned by Edinburgh Art Festival. The project also involved choreographer Holly Blakey, composer Maxwell Sterling, and fashion designer Ashish Gupta. 

    Crafted by the Studio’s master weavers, the wearable tapestry elements are inspired by Linder’s distinctive photomontage practice. During their visits to the Studio, Linder and Ashish immersed themselves  in the Surrealist history of West Dean College, referencing our founder Edward James, West Dean Estates collection and queer histories. 

    This collaboration marks another milestone in West Dean’s rich history of artist led collaboration ahead of the Tapestry Studio's 50th anniversary in 2026. The work will debut at Mount Stewart in June 2025 before opening at Edinburgh Art Festival in August. 

    Read more

    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

    read more

    Project Gallery

    • The Charterhouse Tapestry (2019), woven to a design by local schoolchildren for the Charterhouse, the almshouse and heritage site in London with a strong emphasis on learning.
    Artist: @Tracey Emin, weavers: Caron Penney and Philip Sanderson. The tapestry was shown at COLLECT 2011, at the Saatchi Gallery. Photo Credit: Steve Speller.
    Martin_Creed_Work No 1683
    Tapestry Commissioned by Martin Creed, Titled Work No 1683
    Tapestry Nowhere by Master Weaver Philip Sanderson
    Title Nowhere, Artist/Weaver Philip Sanderson, Size H57 x W163cm, Materials Cotton warp and worsted wool weft, Price £8,250 + VAT
    West Dean Tapestry Studio was commissioned to weave a unique piece of textile art Called Play, designed by British designer Faye Toogood. The tapestry formed part of Faye Toogood’s Furniture and Coats Roly-Poly Assemblage No. 4, to be exhibited at the Internazionale Salone del Mobile. Tapestry woven by Master Weaver, Katharine Swailes.
    The tapestries for Stirling Castle were woven by the West Dean Tapestry Studio working alongside Historic Scotland and the Historic Scotland Foundation. It took three weavers, Caron Penney, Katharine Swailes and Jo Howard, a total of 16,647 working hours to complete this one tapestry over three and a half years.
    Tapestry Designed and woven by Philip Sanderson. Title: Parliament, located at Palace of Westminster.
    Tapestry woven by Valerie Power at West Dean Tapestry Studio, artwork by Adrian Berg. Titles: Leighton Hall 21st July.

    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]

    Help preserve our future

    We are part of a registered charity and rely on the support of generous donors, members and legacies to help us deliver world-class education in conservation, design and the creative arts and maintain our award-winning gardens.

    Find out how to support us