Liz Ramsay - textile artist

Having intended to specialise in printed textiles, I found myself inexorably and surprisingly drawn towards weave - it has been challenging and utterly compelling. It has now become my area of work.

As a hand-weaver I seek to create unique pieces. These are primarily textile art - hangings and, occasionally, framed artworks but I also weave ‘new heritage’ items by arrangement. These become precious personal textiles to cherish and pass on.

I enjoy weaving primarily for myself - because it is now part of who I am. New ideas, springing from my life and experience, are constantly jostling for time and space on my loom, but I also enjoy weaving for people. Incorporating their life, their ideas, their meaningful thoughts into my work is a privilege.

Both the designing and planning of my work and the craft involved in its creation are supremely satisfying. Building cloth from simple strands of yarn is not only intellectually and creatively demanding, but seductive and visceral. Watching the fabric slowly grow, thread by thread on my hand loom is hugely rewarding.

My MA from the University of Derby (2016) included jacquard weaving. I do enjoy the freedom this type of process brings and am open to suggestions (and collaborations) should an interesting project present itself.

Previously I have printed, painted and embellished silk for the bespoke market and produced silks for retail. My other qualifications include a BA degree from Loughborough University School of Art, Prince2 practitioner qualification and ILM level 5 award. For some years I worked for a number of charities both supporting volunteers and directly helping young people, children, families and individual adults. This included supporting people with drug and alcohol issues, ex-offenders and women and children escaping domestic abuse.