Hand woven Passementerie Artworks

'Intricate weaves dazzling in richness of pattern and color...she uses traditional weaving techniques with an energetic use of vivid color, pattern and material to create contemporary, one off pieces' Elaine Markoutsas, The Detroit News 2020.

Elizabeth Ashdown MA RCA is an artist based in South East England. She creates contemporary, hand woven artworks using the endangered craft of Passementerie. Only one of a few hand Passementerie weavers working in the UK today, Elizabeth combines traditional craft skills with a contemporary aesthetic in order to create intriguing and playful art works.

Intricate weaving techniques are combined with an energetic use of colour, pattern and material combinations to create one-off and bespoke artworks, both large and small. Elizabeth’s process is labour-intensive yet playful and intuitive. Every part of her work is created by hand – from carefully dyeing silk yarns in vibrant colours, to spinning cords and weaving.
 
Elizabeth’s work can be found in numerous private and public collections throughout the UK and abroad. She has produced exclusive handmade artworks for clients such as Liberty, the Clothworkers’ Company, Cassamance and Camira Fabrics, as well as undertaking bespoke commissions for private clients. Elizabeth is represented by Future Icons - Future Icons represents the best contemporary craft and design makers in the UK. 

Elizabeth regularly exhibits her work in the UK and abroad in exhibitions such as: The London Art Fair (2020) and Over Under: Under Over at the Royal Scottish Academy. Please see the 'work' page above for more information relating to exhibitions past and present.

Elizabeth is an Associate Lecturer at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and a Visiting Lecturer at the Royal College of Art, Winchester School of Art and Donghua University in Shanghai. She also teaches workshops throughout the UK - either in person or online. Please see the 'workshop' page above for more information.

Awards:

Nominated for the Arts Foundation Futures Award: Materials Innovation 2021
Shortlisted for the Jerwood Makers Open 2021

Current exhibitions:

International KOGEI Award in Toyama, Japan (March - May 2021)

Selected recent exhibitions:

Over, Under Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh (2020)
London Art Fair (2020)