We are thrilled and immensely proud that so many RSN Tutors, Students and Graduates will have work displayed at the upcoming Worshipful Company of Broderers exhibition ‘The Art of Embroidery,’ taking place at Bankside Gallery in London, from 22-27 February.

The exhibition will showcase embroidery both as fine art in the modern sense, and also reflect the centuries of heritage which form the current craft of embroidery today. Exhibitors will range from established artists to emerging artists, and will provide a platform to gain exposure, display and sell their artwork as well as connect with art lovers.

Below is a selection of some of the RSN Tutors, Graduates and Students whose work has been selected. You’ll be able to see more over the coming weeks on Facebook and Instagram.

‘Happy’ is the title of one of RSN Tutor Kate Barlow’s pieces: “My pieces. ‘Happy’ and ‘Love’, are both worked on ivory silk satin using Silk Shading and Goldwork techniques. I have always had a fascination with lettering, particularly beautiful, highly embellished fonts. My Grandad was a Master Signwriter and I still have his lettering books and brushes from the 1930s and 1940s. They are a poignant link to his highly skilled craft, and to a time before technology started to take away the need for fine draughtsmanship and a steady hand. I love the idea of combining my own craft of traditional hand embroidery with beautiful fancy lettering styles to create uplifting, optimistic images that will hopefully make you smile.”

Natalie Rowe, who is currently in the third year of the RSN Future Tutors Programme, will display her ‘Untitled’ piece which is formed from block abstract shapes, worked in lines of couching. Natalie says: “Changing thread directions and varied stitch densities create light effects across the surface. Sinuous lines disrupt the initially regular pattern of stitches, developing organically to generate a further design of their own. I’m interested in experimenting with the textural and reflective qualities of embroidery techniques and materials, exploring how these can be exploited to create a further dimension of design to an embroidered surface. I am currently sampling for my signature project in which I am developing further with the ideas sparked by this piece.”

RSN Degree Graduate 2020, Hisae Abe, has been influenced by a Japanese artist for her piece ‘Wind God: “The piece is inspired by the folding screen paper of the ‘Wind and Thunder God’ (Fujin and Raijin) by the famous Japanese painter, Sotatsu Tawaraya. I embroidered on to kimono fabric, using real Japanese gold thread. I also applied washi paper which I hand dyed. This piece is full of Japanese tradition and craftsmanship.”

Katherine Duiguid, who graduated from the RSN Certificate in Technical Hand Embroidery in 2016, worked on her piece in 2021 from her studio in North Carolina, USA. Katherine took inspiration from the Douce Apocalypse and the Trinity Apocalypse, ‘The Red Dragon Lurks in Front of the Woman Clothed with the Sun’ which depicts the 7-headed dragon’s arrival in the story of the Woman of Revelations 12. “While utilising traditional embroidery techniques, the embroidered panel blends the Anglo-Norman aesthetic influences while providing visual commentary through the gaze of a modern female artist.”

The Broderers’ Exhibition: ‘The Art of Embroidery’ is an open-submission art exhibition, organised by The Worshipful Company of Broderers; one of the ancient Livery Companies of the City of London. It was formed to regulate the standard of embroidery, a major City trade in the Middle Ages. For further information on visiting this wonderful ‘Art of Embroidery’ exhibition, please visit The Broderers’ Exhibition website.

Images of work by Katherine Duiguid, Natalie Rowe, Hisae Abe and Kate Barlow.