Anne is a textile based mixed media artist, trained in Canada and the UK at Goldsmiths College. Her major solo exhibition at the Ruthin Craft Centre toured to the Harley Foundation in Welbeck in 2023. She has shown as an invited/selected artist with solo galleries at the Knitting and Stitching Shows, Pour l’Amour du Fil in France and at the World of Threads Festival in Canada, amongst others.
As part of her practice she gives talks and workshops everywhere – from the Fashion and Textile Museum in London to Compton Verney in Warwickshire. Anne was artist in residence at a garden in Sussex, a hilltop village in Italy and travels extensively to exhibit and teach. She is working towards a major international solo exhibition in 2026.
Anne has work in private and public collections in the UK and abroad, and is a member of the UK Embroiderers Guild, the European Textile Network and is listed on the Crafts Council Directory. Her work is represented in the Diana Springall Embroidery collection.
News
Canticle of the Birds – London
I am delighted to have been selected as a guest artist for this wonderful exhibition at the Aga Khan Centre at Kings Cross in London. Based on the renowned poetry/text by Attar ‘The Conference of the Birds’, many artists and makers have been brought together to create this exhibition. On from December 5, 2025 until May 31, 2026.
The Knit + Stitch Shows 2025
I was honoured to have been selected as a gallery artist at the Knit and Stitch Shows 2025, in London and Harrogate for 2025.
My exhibition was called ‘Artist Life’ and recreated the elements that make up my practice.
JODRELL BANK COLLABORATION
I am super excited to announce the commission and community collaboration ‘Cosmic Threads’ between myself and Jodrell Bank – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Britain’s largest radio telescope. Many thanks to their outreach team and the 240+ contributors to our project, which opens to the public on January 24th, 2026, and is on until May. Admission includes a ticket to see it but you are advised to book a slot.
my commissioned piece in the studio
New Book!
I am very excited to announce my latest book for Batsford ‘Abstract Textiles’ published in July 2025. Lots of inspiration and exciting contributions from the UK and around the world. You can order it online now.
Award Winner
Honoured, delighted and surprised to win the Embroiderers Guild Member’s Challenge Jane Lemon Award for Drama and Creativity 2024.
Artiq/Limekiln Sussex
Three recent originals are on display at a new events venue near Eridge, Limekiln Sussex, arranged through Artiq London
Book Award
‘Textile Portraits’ was shortlisted for the Creative Book Awards – best Sewing Book 2024.
‘A creative and beautiful book packed with inspiring ideas to help you capture likenesses and explore personalities in stitch, from a well-loved textile artist.‘
I was a part of the 2023 World of Threads Festival in Oakville, Canada. The work from the exhibition will be seen at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum shop in Almonte, Ontario from 2/24.
Recent
Timeless Textiles – Broken and Repaired
I was delighted to be included in ‘Broken and Repaired’ at Timeless Textiles Gallery, in Newcastle, Australia. My piece ‘Midsummer Garden’ was on display alongside other British, Australian and international textile artists.
Stitch by Stitch 2025
I was pleased to once again be a part this exhibition at the Willow Gallery in Oswestry.
The Broderers Exhibition
I was delighted to have had my piece ‘Small World’ selected for the 2025 Broderers Exhibition – The Art of Embroidery, in London. It took place at the Bankside Gallery between the 25 February and 5 March.
Japanese Exhibition
I was invited to exhibit around twenty pieces ‘Current Views’ for exhibition at the World Quilt Exhibition in Yokohama, from the 8 – 10 November, 2024.
Batsford Gallery
‘Forty’ to commemorate forty years of living and working in the UK at the Batsford Gallery in London.
Pour l’Amour du Fil
I was an invited artist at ‘Pour l’Amour du Fil’ 2023 in Nantes.
Harley Gallery, Welbeck
Well Travelled’ at the Harley Gallery was on from January – March 2023, originally started at the Ruthin Craft Centre.
‘Undersea’ was selected for the Sussex Contemporary exhbition at the i360 in Brighton.
I am a featured artist in ‘Unravelling Women’s Art’ – launched online via the Fashion and Textile Museum in London.
Stockists
I sell work through my website shop and in exhibitions online and in person. Contact me to arrange a studio visit or for details of available work.
Abroad: Australia – represented by with works for sale through Timeless Textiles, Newcastle, NSW
Canada – works and books for sale through Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, Almonte, Ontario (details above)
Anne Kelly 