Artists´textiles

The number of modern and contemporary textiles coming to the studio for conservation is increasing year on year. Changing tastes mean some previously unfashionable dress and furnishing fabrics are again becoming popular. Currently the bright colours and bold abstract designs of fabrics from the 1940s, 50s and 60s are particularly desirable as feature artworks for contemporary interiors.

Since 2014 the studio has conserved a wide range of what are known as artists’ textiles for Gray M.C.A, specialists in modern design, textiles and fashion illustration from the 1940s to the present day. The fabrics were designed by some of the most famous artists and designers of the mid-20th century including Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Henri Matisse, Alexander Calder, John Piper, Henry Moore, Ben Nicholson, Lucienne Day and Jacqueline Groag for the Ascher Studio, Edinburgh Weavers, David Whitehead Ltd, Heal’s and Sanderson and Sons Ltd.

In preparation for framing the conservators carefully separate the textiles from degraded linings and unsuitable mounts, retaining all removed materials for return to the client.  Each textile is then individually wet cleaned using a conservation grade detergent, and tears and holes are stabilised using colour matched backing fabrics and conservation threads. In discussion with Gray M.C.A the section of fabric to be visible when framed is identified for each item and museum quality mount boards are created to the required size using acid free card covered with polyester padding and undyed cotton fabric. Each panel of fabric is stitch mounted to the board by hand using fine colour matched threads with any excess fabric that is too worn or discoloured or is lacking a full pattern repeat taken around the board and secured to the reverse. Efforts are made to preserve as much fabric as possible and to ensure any text or labels relating to the design or manufacturer on the fabric remain accessible after mounting. 

‘Textile Conservation Limited plays a central role for us in ensuring the very best modern textiles can be seen in exhibits from London to Palm Beach.  The work [they] do for us is essential and of fundamental value to our business.’
Ashley Gray, Director, Gray M.C.A Ltd

Several of the textiles cleaned and mounted by the studio featured in the Material: Textile exhibitions held at the Messums Wiltshire and Harrogate galleries in 2019/2020 (and in the associated catalogues), and currently at the Gray M.C.A gallery in Bath.