Liz Ramsay MSDC

Liz enjoys the whole process of weaving textiles - from the design ideas and artwork through planning the weaving structures, to selecting the most appropriate yarns and then making the fabric.

She starts by gathering images and ideas about the work to be created. This will include the feelings she wants to express through the fabric, and consideration of the overall qualities desired. Through an experimental, iterative process, the weave structures are developed and the vision is realised through the careful selection and use of beautiful and appropriate fibres. Finally, these unique textiles are hand finished to produce the ‘handle’ and overall appearance required.

Her highly varied weavings reflect Liz’s curiosity as a designer. She has recently created work based on notions of separation, of family, of a journey; has celebrated ancient artefacts, places and palaces; has woven her interpretations of a particular environment; and has expressed human resilience and the simple warp and weft of a life. Her textiles develop from lived experiences, from her artwork (sketches, drawings, paintings and patterning), and from relationships with others and the world around her.

Most work is hand-woven to create unique and often bespoke sustainable art - or as heritage and precious items to cherish. She is happy to work with and for clients requiring hand-woven items but is also able to design something special for a commercial loom.

The act of creating beautiful work is, she says, hugely satisfying. Building cloth from simple strands of yarn is not only intellectually and creatively demanding, but seductive and visceral. Whether sampling on a hand loom, or planning a large piece of art, Liz finds weaving to be both challenging and utterly compelling.

Liz came to weaving "late". After a BA from Loughborough, raising a family, and working for a number of charities, she discovered her love of weaving and studied this at the University of Derby. It was from here that Liz received her MA in woven textiles in 2016.

Exhibitions and Shows

• Out of Our Hands | Pilgrimage - Great Dalby Methodist Chapel, Great Dalby - Sept 2021
• Out of Our Hands | Pilgrimage - All Saints Church, Cadeby - August 2021
• Material Stories - The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton – May-June 2018Aa2a Artists’ Exhibition - University Of Derby, Markeaton Street – July-Oct 2017
  
• Lives, Loves And Loss: Traces At Fenton House - London – Dec 2016
  
• Mood – Innovation Platform, Brussels Expo, Place De Belgique, Brussels - Sept 2016
  
• New Designers - Business Design Centre, London - July 2016
  
• The Big Show - University Of Derby, Markeaton Street, Derby - May 2016
  
• Interiors UK - New Design Britain Award, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham - Jan 2014
  
• Decorex – Goodweave Award, Perks Field & The Orangery, Kensington Palace, London - Sept 2013
  

Awards

• Crafts Council Hothouse Award 2020/2021
• Aa2a/Arts Council England Residency 2016/17
  
• Clothworkers’ Foundation Award – 1st Prize 2016
  
• The British Wool Marketing Board Award – 1st Prize 2016
  
• The Cloth Of Kings Award 2016
  
• The Woolmark Company Award – Commendation 2016
  
• Association Of Fashion And Textile Courses Award – Commendation 2016
  
• The British Wool Marketing Board Award – 1st Prize 2015
  
• The Cloth Of Kings Award 2015
  
• The British Wool Marketing Board Award – Commendation 2015
  
• New Design Britain Award - Prizewinning Finalist 2014
  
• Clothworkers Foundation Award – 2nd Prize 2014
  
• The Woolmark Company Award – Commendation 2014
  
• Clothworkers Foundation Award – Commendation 2014
  
• Goodweave Rug Design Competition Prizewinning Finalist 2014
  

Education

• University of Derby - M.A. Fashion and Textiles (Dist.) (2016)
  
• Burton College - Institute of Leadership and Management Level 5 Certificate (2012)
  
• Datrix Training, Nottingham - PRINCE2 Practitioner Qualification (2012)
  
• Derbyshire Learning & Development Consortium -City & Guilds 7302 Delivering Learning (2008)
  
• Loughborough University - B.A. hons Drama
  
• Loughborough University School of Art & Design - Foundation Studies, Art & Design