Modern Tapestry & Mary Farmer

Join Independent Curator, Amanda Game and leading tapestry artist Jennie Moncur as they discuss the life, work and legacy of the late Mary Farmer (1940-2021).

Mary was an influential presence as both maker and teacher in the field of tapestry in the late twentieth century. Her mastery of the language of abstraction in weave led to presence in high profile exhibitions from the late 1960s - 1990s and numerous commissions for private and corporate collections including Channel 4 Television and British Oxygen Company. She balanced an active studio with a significant career in design education, joining the Textile Department at the Royal College of Art, London as a tapestry tutor and going on to establish and develop a newly independent Tapestry Course within the Fine Art Painting School until its closure in 1995. Public collections include: Contemporary Art Society; Crafts Council, London; Craft Study Centre, Farnham; Government Art Collection; Hove Museum and Art Gallery; Oxfordshire County Museums: Sainsbury Centre, University of East Anglia; V&A Museum, London

Examples of work by both Mary and Jennie will be on view, alongside other contemporary works, in Picking up the Thread: the Past, Present and Future of Tapestry’ the British Tapestry Group Twentieth Anniversary touring exhibition hosted by Dovecot this autumn.   

Amanda is an Advisor to the Mary Farmer Estate and has a longstanding interest in modern tapestry, following a forty-five year career in craft and design fostered here in Edinburgh as both a Director of The Scottish Gallery and Consulting Director at IC:innovative Craft resident here at the Dovecot from 2008-2011. Jennie studied under Mary at the Royal College of Art following initial studies at Goldsmiths College under Audrey Walker. She continues to enjoy a high profile career both as a designer and independent tapestry artist and will reflect on her studies at the RCA, her subsequent role as a visiting lecturer, and give illustrated insight into some of her major public commissions and exhibitions.  

£15 (ticket price includes entry to IKEA: Magical Patterns from 4.30pm)

Every ticket sold supports the work of The Dovecot Foundation to advance visual art, craft and design in all its forms.

Please note that tickets are non-refundable, non-transferable and may not be exchanged.

If you are unable to attend an event please contact Dovecot on 0131 550 3660 or info@dovecotstudios.com to inform the Front of House Team.