Matthew Harris - Text-ile
Explore the creative potential of the calligraphic mark through drawing, mark making, stitch and other textile processes. |
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In 2026 we are very excited to be welcoming artist Matthew Harris back to the InStitches studio. A graduate of Goldsmiths College, Matthew has been working with textiles since 2000, having for the previous ten years made and exhibited drawings and works on paper. He has shown in a number of group and solo exhibitions throughout the U.K, Ireland and Japan.
Matthew's work employs dyeing, cutting and hand stitching and is concerned primarily with abstract imagery and the translation of drawn marks into cloth. By making work that is pieced, patched and assembled, he aims to create pieces that explore repetition, pattern and the disrupted or dissonant journey of line and image across and through the surface of cloth.
Over this four-day workshop with Matthew you will use text as your starting point, the visual language of words. Textile references are deeply embedded in our culture, history and everyday language and the structures and processes of textile in particular are referenced time and again.
We speak of the fabric of something, of spinning yarns, weaving tales and narrative threads. There is undoubtedly a symbiotic relationship between the ways in which we think and express ideas with words, and the ways in which we construct and form textile materials with our hands.
It is this relationship between textiles and language that you will be exploring in this project. In particular it is the relationship between textiles and the handwritten word that will form the starting point for an exploration of textile processes and materials.
We speak of the fabric of something, of spinning yarns, weaving tales and narrative threads. There is undoubtedly a symbiotic relationship between the ways in which we think and express ideas with words, and the ways in which we construct and form textile materials with our hands.
It is this relationship between textiles and language that you will be exploring in this project. In particular it is the relationship between textiles and the handwritten word that will form the starting point for an exploration of textile processes and materials.
Starting with drawing you will be looking at ways in which you can ‘play’ with writing. By taking individual words or sentences you will begin to explore both narrative and abstract elements of form and pattern, scale, shape and structure through a series of drawing exercises.
With Matthew's guidance you will look at ideas of repetition and legibility, at what point is any meaning lost?; at what point do words become illegible? These drawings will form the starting point for two- and three-dimensional textile experimentation.
Matthew will encourage and support you as you develop your personal language, creating a narrative and history through the interaction of making, materials and process.
With Matthew's guidance you will look at ideas of repetition and legibility, at what point is any meaning lost?; at what point do words become illegible? These drawings will form the starting point for two- and three-dimensional textile experimentation.
Matthew will encourage and support you as you develop your personal language, creating a narrative and history through the interaction of making, materials and process.
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Date: Tuesday 3rd – Friday 6th November 2026 (4 days)
The studio will be open from 9.15am and the workshop will start at 9.30am until 4.30pm (ish) each day. Cost: £520(this includes some materials) A £260 deposit will secure your place. Please note: Places are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis. Booking implies that you agree with our terms and conditions for in real life workshops. You can read them here: The Small Print Included will be home-made biscuits with morning coffee, a light seasonal lunch and an enticing cake with a pot of afternoon tea. |
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To see more of Matthew's work visit his website
