Compassion Revolution Community Textile Artist | Amber Valley

My work grows from a deep sense of care for people, place and the quiet stories that shape who we are.

 

I am a contemporary community textile artist based in Amber Valley, Derbyshire, and my practice centres on collective making, shared experience and the gentle power of materials to hold memory. Flax has become a guiding thread in my work. I grow it, gather it and work with others to explore its history, its possibilities and the ways it connects communities to land and to each other.

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I create spaces where people can slow down, notice small details and contribute their own stories. My approach is rooted in kindness, curiosity and collaboration. I work closely with communities to co-create installations that celebrate heritage while remaining open to new interpretations of place, identity and belonging. My recent BBC Radio Derby interview shares more about how listening to people shapes my practice.

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Working across wellbeing, sustainability and socially engaged textile practice, I am interested in how simple materials can become anchors for connection. My projects encourage people to rediscover forgotten skills, share knowledge and feel part of something made together.

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I see my work as a quiet invitation. It is a chance to pause, listen and make with others. Through this ongoing practice, I explore the unique textures and characteristics of the materials I use, embracing their natural imperfections. This material curiosity sits alongside my commitment to nurturing confidence and strengthening relationships within local environments across Derbyshire. My hope is that the work celebrates beauty in its most authentic forms, rather than striving for exactness or precision.​

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I work across Derbyshire as a contemporary community textile artist, with a focus on local flax heritage, creativity and community engagement.