About
Cumbrian born Katharine Swailes, now based in West Sussex, works from the studios of Atelier Weftfaced. Swailes produces wall-based handwoven abstract tapestries, using a minimal number of techniques and materials. She uses traditional materials including wool, linen, cotton and gilt. Castellated selvedges create the top and bottom of her works, a reference to her past creating costume from linens and cottons.
Swailes draws inspiration from the history and process of weaving, particularly antiquity and the pre-Columbian America’s. Swailes studied at West Dean College on a postgraduate course in tapestry weaving (1998-2000), before working for West Dean Tapestry Studio. Here she worked on prestigious commissions including the Stirling Castle tapestries 2001-2013 as Master Weaver and Designer, alongside developing her own practice and exhibiting.
Swailes’ works are held in National and private collections in the UK and abroad. Swailes was shortlisted for the Cordis prize in 2016 and 2019, Kate Derum Award, 2019, and the Theo Moorman Award, recipient 2016.
