Ann Sutton (right) talks to Hazel Hughson (Crafts Development, Shetland Arts) and Angharad McLaren at the launch of the Centre in 2007
Born in North Staffordshire, Ann went to Cardiff College of Art, then led West Sussex College of Art weave department. Since then she has written and presented the 5-part BBC series ‘ The Craft of the Weaver’, and written nine books on textiles, two of which are used as text books worldwide. She has travelled, lectured and exhibited all over the world, and her work is in many public and private collections, including 24 pieces in the V&A.
She has guest-curated many national exhibitions, and had a few good ideas: e.g the International Exhibitions of Miniature Textiles, the Ann Sutton Foundation,the Arundel Gallery Trail…
Ann Sutton is known, internationally, for her innovative work in woven textiles. Unusually, she worked in both the design and the art fields, but never as a craftsperson. After a successful retrospective London exhibition instigated by the Crafts Council in 2004, she decided to step into the unknown and explore what was to her a new medium, paint.
Recently she completed the interiors of The Point in Eastleigh, Hants, where she was lead artist and designer.
She is a Senior Fellow of the Royal College of Art, and an Honorary Professor of the University of the Arts, London.
