Beryl Dean - seminal figure in 20th-century textile design

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Timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Beryl Dean’s birth, a major touring exhibition starting at Alexandra Palace, London, is planned to celebrate the work of this seminal figure of 20th-century ecclesiastical textile design. The exhibition will also be shown in Dublin and Harrogate. See our interview with June Hill, co-curator of the exhibition.

This anniversary provides probably the last opportunity to stage a major exhibition of Beryl Dean’s work during the lifetime of many of her direct peers, and it also provides the perfect excuse to introduce people to the subject of ecclesiastical embroidery in the first place. To this effect, teaching resources are being planned to embrace this exhibition, the timing of which also coincides with the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Church Schools foundation. School parties are particularly welcome.

Key pieces of Beryl Dean’s work have been assembled from Cathedrals and churches such as St Paul’s, Guildford and Kings Lynn, borrowed from museums and private collections and in particular from the family archive. In the latter case, many items will be seen in public for the very first time, ensuring that a fresh interpretation can be made of Beryl Dean’s background and influences. Early work from her theatre and fashion design days will be on display and the original drawings for the St Paul’s cope have been discovered and will be on display alongside the finished work.

The gallery, the most extensive of its kind ever staged, has been curated by June Hill (ex Bankfield Museum) and Liz Elvin (formerly Principal of the Royal School of Needlework and an individual who worked closely with Beryl on many of the pieces actually on display). 

A catalogue will be available and this event will mark the launch of the Beryl Dean Archive.

The Beryl Dean Gallery forms part of The Knitting and Stitching Show, a major textile exhibition held in Alexandra Palace, London (6 to 9 October), at the RDS, Dublin (10 to 13 November) and in the International Halls, Harrogate (24 to 27 November). Other exhibitions held under the umbrella of The Knitting and Stitching Show include John Gillow’s Textiles and Stitch in the Islamic World, as well as many focusing on the work of other key, contemporary makers such as Alice Kettle, Sasha Kagan, Chunghie Lee, Jilli Blackwood and Mary Cozens Walker.  Alongside the galleries will be a host of designer makers offering one off, textile pieces, an enormous range of specialist suppliers aimed at the keen needlework enthusiast as well as a vast range of workshops catering for the absolute beginner to the accomplished broderer.

To mark the conclusion of the tour, it is the intention to gather together as many people as possible who knew Beryl Dean and were involved, or particularly interested in her work. June Hill will give an illustrated talk to outline why she selected the pieces she did for the exhibition and this will be followed by a conversation led by Dr Jennifer Harris of the Whitworth Art Gallery.

Further information is available from events organisers, Creative Exhibitions Ltd on 0208 692 2299 or on the website www.twistedthread.com from which tickets are also available.