Sustainable Textile Futures: Contemporary Design Responses to Traditional Japanese Craft
2025/1/23
24 January to 10 March 2025
Open weekdays, 10:00am - 5.30pm
Closed weekends and UK Bank Holidays, Japanese Holidays (24/02/25)
Please check opening times in advance on our Eventbrite page (advance bookings can be made but walk-ins are also welcome)
Free admission but photo ID is required

This exhibition explores the relationship between Britain and Japan through the lens of traditional Japanese upcycling textile techniques. By showcasing how British and European artists reinterpret these practices, the exhibition highlights the transformative potential of cultural exchange in fostering innovation and promoting sustainability.

Today, this shared history inspires new collaborations, blending local knowledge and global perspectives to address contemporary challenges in sustainability and design.
As we look ahead to Expo 2025 Osaka, themed ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives’ this exhibition aligns with its focus on shaping a sustainable future. It demonstrates how traditional Japanese craftsmanship and British creativity can converge to create new possibilities for a more connected, responsible world.
Participating artists (A-Z):
Dr Kerri Akiwowo
Melanie Bowles
Alice Burnhope
Leah Gasson
Naomi Ison
Annabelle Loweth
Jess Peacock
Dr Chetna Prajapati
Hannah Refaat
Jinsong Shen
Edward Smith
Emamoke Ukeleghe
Leonardo Hidalgo Uribe
Arantza Vilas
Nadine Wilde

*The exhibition was curated in collaboration with the Diverse Voices in Textiles project at Loughborough University.