Stitching the Decades

Sue Rangeley ~ Embroidered Originals 

studio creations 1974 – 2024

Sue Rangeley‘s latest exhibition takes a backwards glance, showing highlights from a fascinating life as a textile artist.

Sue’s career launched in 1974/5 with a modest collection of embroidered evening bags, cushion and waistcoats  which attracted the interest of Vogue magazine writer Judy Brittain. From a Cotswold studio, set in a rambling Victorian house where other artists and craftspeople worked, Sue’s career echoed the vibes of the time with the revival of British arts and crafts encouraged by support from the Crafts Council (founded in 1972).

Nature and nostalgia continue to infuse the language of my embroidery,
with romance and fantasy styling a fashion pzazz

There were pivotal moments in the late 70s which brought Sue’s embroidered fashions and interior textiles to receive worldwide attention: couture commissions for the designer Bill Gibb; photos in Vogue magazine; exhibiting in the Crafts Council shop at the Victoria & Albert Museum; appearing on the front cover of Crafts magazine; an exhibition in Paris with Charles de Temple, London; commissions from galleries.

Sue’s signature style emerged: embroidered fashions with a romantic touch, delicate painted silks and free-flowing patterns of quilting, textures strewn with flora and butterflies. The exhibition begins with a peek at those early embroideries which launched Sue’s international career, showing examples of painted silks including the popular silk bags – hundreds were made! Displays will also feature sketches and notebooks, alongside clients’ correspondence, giving an in-depth glance at Sue’s working practice.

Starting from that first decade the exhibition explores the different themes and techniques which have inspired Sue’s embroidered textiles, with examples of more recent work for the book ‘Embroidery Atelier – Visions & Passions’. Plus a new piece especially created for this show in 2024.

Sue has received numerous awards for her creative activities. In 2009, she received a National Lottery & Arts Council England grant for curating ‘A Wearable Art’ exhibition in Oxfordshire. In 2018, she was chosen to demonstrate at an exclusive event at the Victoria & Albert Museum, as part of the ‘Fashioned from Nature’ program, hosted by the Friends of the V&A.

Main Image, Sue in her studio © Michael Wicks

Events:

Meet the Artist – hear Sue Rangeley discuss her work in an informal talk.

Sat 11 May 2 – 4pm

Wed 22 May 2 – 4pm

Wed 29 May 2 – 4pm

Free with museum admission, no booking required