UNmaking: An Exploration of Process and Practice

16 February 2026 – 13 May 2028

Why UNmaking?

We build our skills through experience, and as a result, our material knowledge and understanding become embodied in the work itself. There is a deep connection here: materiality explored over time through repetitive action builds tacit knowledge—an embodied understanding that textile artists can often take for granted.

UNmaking challenges this. It is not simply about taking something apart; it is a deliberate act of deconstruction that can become a powerful journey of discovery. It asks us to question our assumptions and explore new directions by embracing the processes of unravelling, cutting, and unpicking. UNmaking invites us to consider whether a work poised on the verge of disintegration or collapse can be accepted as complete, and what it means to an audience when a piece exists somewhere between made and unmade.

UNmaking is a thinking process. It is an act of revealing and understanding. Through unmaking, we can unravel the history of a technique or fibre, explore where a process originated, and question whether an essential part of our practice lies in the act of cutting up or unpicking. By engaging with unmaking, we can learn when something is truly finished and how to push our creative boundaries. As a community of curious, inquisitive makers, we believe in sharing ideas about process with intention. UNmaking offers an opportunity to review, reflect, and refine our work, allowing us to pause and interrogate why we create.

The works in this exhibition will deliberately evolve over time and across venues. By presenting artworks at different stages of the making and unmaking journey, the exhibition embraces change as an integral part of practice. As the artists continue to develop their work, the exhibition itself transforms, expanding the possibilities of a touring show and ensuring that each iteration is distinct and responsive to its context.

UNmaking is at Museum in the Park, Stroud, from 12 September – 8 November 2026. Enhance your visit with our accompanying event programme:

Meet the Maker: Drop-in sessions to connect informally with the artists.
Creative Workshops: Pre-bookable masterclasses with expert textile tutors to learn new techniques and exchange ideas.

See the full programme of events to find out more.