Exhibition: The Artful Craft of Embroidered Gardens

Last week, I went to see the Artful Craft of Embroidered Gardens, a textile exhibition organised by the Embroiderer’s Guild for the Capability Brown Festival 2016, held at and inspired by Standen. Three of the Embroiderer’s Guild branches were involved: Brighton, East Surrey and East Sussex.

Standen is a National Trust property in East Sussex, near East Grinstead. The house was designed by Philip Webb, best known as the architect who designed the Red House for William Morris. Inside the house are lots of examples of Morris & Co. wallpapers and fabrics, as well at de Morgan tiles and ceramics. The gardens were also designed in an Arts and Crafts style and have been preserved and maintained as such.

Despite all the work being inspired by the same place, it was amazing just how diverse it was. There was a lot of traditional forms of embroidery as well as some 3D work and a good mix of realism and abstract styles.

The exhibition is on until the 17^th July, so if you are interested there is still plenty of time to go and have a look!

I thought I’d show to some of my favourites, but this is only a small selection of what is actually on show.

Useful Work verses Useless Toil
Claire Buckley

Standen House & Garden
Arthur Ridley

Inspired by Standen
Kathie Small

Window at Standen
Erica Hunt

View from Standen 2
Janet Walford