LONDON.- West Dean Tapestry Studio is working on a tapestry conceived and commissioned by the Charterhouse, the almshouse and heritage site in London with a strong emphasis on learning. Uniquely but fittingly, the Charterhouse has involved a team of children from St John the Evangelist school in Islington to create the design, working with the internationally acclaimed UK tapestry studio’s expert weavers. The process is a democratic and accessible way to engage youngsters in a craft that is enjoying a contemporary resurgence. The project has been funded by Neil and Emma Redcliffe.

To create the design, Philip Sanderson, Tapestry Subject Tutor and Studio Leader at West Dean Tapestry Studio, and Trainee Weaver Ellie Rudd visited the Charterhouse and ran two workshops with year 5 pupils. Responding to the Charterhouses own tapestries showing biblical subjects, and purchased in 1616, Philip and Ellie taught the class about the methods of tapestry weaving and the history of the Charterhouse almshouse. From this, the children each created their own nautical designs.

Philip and Ellie then used these designs to create a plan for the tapestry, scanning each drawing and digitally collaging them into one large design based on antique maritime maps. The composition features galleons, sea monsters, and shipwrecks. Each child will have a piece of their work represented in the final tapestry.

Tapestry Subject Tutor and Studio Leader Philip Sanderson says, “we are delighted that the West Dean Tapestry Studios is producing this piece based on the children’s vibrant designs, and look forward to completing this fresh and energetic new work for the Charterhouse."

The weaving of the design starts now in West Dean’s internationally renowned studio, which is one of the only professional tapestry studios in the UK. The final piece will measure 1.5m x 2m and will take around six months to complete. All the tapestry yarn will be dyed in-house at West Dean and around 50 different bright colours and shades will be woven into the final design. The tapestry has been funded by the present Sheriff of the City of London, Neil Redcliffe. When finished, the tapestry will hang in the Sir John Cass’s Foundation Learning Centre at the Charterhouse where the young artists will come and see it on display.

Cynthia Adobea-Aidoo, Learning Manager at the Charterhouse, says: "We were delighted to be behind this project and host the workshop which Inspired the children Involved In this exciting tapestry project. It will be a fantastic modern addition to the Charterhouse tapestry collection, and Inspiring to future young people coming here to learn and create."

The project is the latest in a long line of impressive work, including a collaboration with sculptor Eva Rothschild last year, five tapestries with Tracey Emin, and Martin Creed’s Work No.1683 for What's the point of it? at the Hayward Gallery. The studio has produced work for clients including the Houses of Parliament, The Mercers Company, The White Cube Gallery and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Since 1976, West Dean’s Tapestry Studio has worked with contemporary artists and designers to translate their images into woven tapestry. Since weaving 23 tapestries for The Henry Moore Foundation, the Studio also went on to work with artists John Piper, Howard Hodgkin, Eileen Agar, Matty Grunberg, Philip Sutton, Bill Jacklin, Adrian Berg.

The studio 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.