Royal School of Needlework opens new exhibition

The Royal School of Needlework will be opening a new embroidery exhibition in September. Taking place at Hampton Court Palace, Face & Figures in Stitch will showcase how people have been depicted in embroidery form, from stylised stick people on early samplers to detailed pieces of tapestry shading.

The exhibition will features more than 100 pieces ranging from the 18th to the 21st centuries, including Greek goddesses, figures from history and familiar faces of today. The work is from RSN's textile collection and by current students.

“While flowers and animals are the most common themes for embroidery, images of people are always popular,” says Dr Susan Kay-Williams, chief executive of the Royal School of Needlework. “This exhibition features a wide variety of hand embroidery techniques including, perhaps the most surprising, blackwork. This method is often known for patterns and infill, but in this exhibition visitors will see how it can be used to create vibrant and powerful stitched portraits in black and white.”

The show runs until March 2020 and pre-booking is essential. Go to www.royal-needlework.org.uk for more details.