Inspired by the new Janet Laurence commission ‘Plant Song’, the exhibition ‘Millefleur’ explores the ATW’s rich history of interpreting the natural world through tapestry.

Taking its name from the medieval tapestry style meaning ‘a thousand flowers’, this exhibition explores botanical imagery in contemporary tapestry whilst paying homage to the 15th century French Gobelin technique our weavers still use today. ‘Millefleur’ showcases tapestries from the 1980’s to the present day, translated from photographs, paintings and botanical illustrations. These designs explore the complex and remarkable relationship humans have with plants, and highlight their importance in this era of the Anthropocene. This exhibition features samples from major commissions as well as small tapestries and samples from the ATW archive that have never been exhibited before. Designing artists include Janet Laurence, Angela Brennan, Nusra Latif Qureshi, Christine Johnson and John Olsen. The centrepiece of the exhibition is large tapestry designed by Lesley Dumbrell, ‘Grevillea’, with a design taken from a pastel drawing of the native Australian plant. ‘Millefleur’ explores diverse responses to botanical imagery through tapestry.