Tapestries are having a moment, with more of us than ever seeing how this most tactile form of artistry can make a unique decorative statement in homes. Not only does a tapestry have more warmth than a print when hung on your wall, it also shows the hand of its maker.
And those makers can be very different from one another. The work created by our four new-generation tapestry artists differs wildly aesthetically, but it's the therapeutic nature of the pieces they create that is key to their creativity - and its charm.
Dalia James
Having opted to study printed textiles at Loughborough University, Dalia James, who graduated in 2012, switched to woven textiles in her second year. ‘I was way more into what the weavers were doing!’ she laughs. ‘I found the translation of their research into cloth really interesting, and I liked the practical nature of the craft. I’m from a creative family; my mother spent hours teaching me to make things, so I like using my hands. I’m also a history nerd and I love the idea of taking an ancient craft and making contemporary work, and the fact that you start with a bunch of yarns then end up with a three-dimensional object.’
