The Experimental Weave Lab Launch: April – September 2022

The Experimental Weave Lab, (TEWL), is the City of London’s first contemporary, innovative, experimental textile weaving season. Curated by Philippa Brock and Elizabeth Ashdown, this six-month season supports an exciting programme of short and long-term weaving residencies, talks, workshops and outreach work culminating in a final exhibition throughout most of September 2022. The season aims to explore the experimental, sustainable and interstitial spaces that weavers work within throughout UK craft, research, art, design and industry. All events will be announced on a monthly basis, from the start of April 2022 on The Experimental Weave Lab website and on instagram @the_experimental_weave_lab

Each resident will be tasked with pushing the boundaries of their practice within their time at the Lab, with the residencies being supported to enable all residents to be able to spend a prolonged period of time researching and developing both new and established approaches to their craft. There are experimental textile workshops being led by Residents of TEWL, Amber Roper and Sarah Ward at The Brady Centre with the ‘A’ Team in April 2022. There will also be a living archive lodged on the website detailing the processes and outcomes at the end of the season.

The Experimental Weave Lab aims to connect with London based events throughout the programme, including London Craft Week, The Crafts Council Make, Make! Craft! Live! and London Design Festival.

For London Craft Week, The Experimental Weave Lab, generously supported by The Clothworkers’ Company, is presenting a special programme of events including immersive craft workshops, demonstrations of passementerie making and a small exhibition, exploring the rare and fascinating world of handmade passementerie. Tickets for London Craft Week, The Experimental Weave Lab events click here

One of the oldest of all the textile arts, passementerie is classed as an endangered craft by the Heritage Crafts Association and historically was designed and made in the City of London. There are only a handful of passementerie artisans are working in the UK today, so this is a rare opportunity to see contemporary work being created.

Long term weave residents for the six month season include, Philippa Brock, Elizabeth Ashdown and Sally Holditch, supported by weaver Rosa Pearks (instagram: @rosabess) and six short term weave residents, each participating for a month. Ismini Samanidou, Amber Roper, Sarah Ward, Philip Sanderson, Rachel Matthews (instagram:@rachelmatthews1174) and Ayse Lambert

The Experimental Weave Lab residency programme would like to thank: The Clothworkers’ Company, The Weavers’ Company, The Mercers’ Company, The Drapers’ Company , City of London Inspiring Culture Through Creativity fund, Peggy & Kate and Mary Restieaux for their generosity in supporting the season.

The programme for The Experimental Weave Lab Season will be published at the start of April. All Open Studios/Lab day visits will be bookable through our eventbrite link. Please bear with us whilst we launch the Programme!

The Experimental Weave Lab is still seeking further funding towards guest Residencies and for the final Exhibition and Catalogue. If you would like to assist in sponsoring,  please contact Philippa and Libby on The Experimental Weave Shed contact form or DM via instagram