A tapestry commissioned by the late David Hockney of one of his paintings has been installed at the Guildhall Art Gallery in London.
The tapestry version of Hockney's 1963 painting Play Within A Play, commissioned by the artist before he died on June 11, aged 88, will appear as part of the gallery's Beyond Bayeux: Tapestry Now exhibition.
Collaboration with Dovecot Studios
In collaboration with Edinburgh's Dovecot Studios, the exhibition will feature more than 20 tapestries co-created by world-leading artists including Hockney, Sir Peter Blake, Yinka Shonibare, Tania Kovats, Alberta Whittle and Rachel Maclean.
The installation comes weeks after the highly anticipated arrival of the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum.
Exhibition's purpose and highlights
Celia Joicey, director at Dovecot Studios, said: "This exhibition is an opportunity to showcase tapestry as not only one of the world's oldest fine art mediums, but also one that has a powerful connection to contemporary artists."
"To ensure that tapestry continues to flourish, it is crucial to highlight the importance of commissioning new work, while celebrating the incredible skills of Dovecot and British tapestry weavers."
Opening to the public on October 23, the exhibition was described on the City of London Corporation's website as being a "once-in-a-generation opportunity to reflect on tapestry's past and shape its future".
Tapestries were typically commissioned to mark key moments in history, with the exhibit hoping to highlight how they can be used as a contemporary art form.
Hurvin Anderson commission and events
One of the stand-out artworks is a new commission with Turner Prize-nominated artist Hurvin Anderson. Measuring an impressive six metres in width, the tapestry will be unveiled in the exhibition before it is installed at the University of Oxford next year to mark the 600th anniversary of Lincoln College.
During the exhibition's five-month run, the events programme will include historical tours and insights from artists and weavers on new ways of thinking about the art of tapestry and collaboration.
Brendan Barns, chairman of the City of London Corporation's culture, heritage, and libraries committee, said: "Tapestry has brought luxury and storytelling to some of the world's most beautiful interiors, including the Sistine Chapel, Royal Palace of Madrid, Versailles, Hampton Court Palace and Guildhall in the City of London, which has a long history of commissioning some of the finest tapestries in the UK."
"This exhibition reflects our mission to be an art gallery about London for London by highlighting the capital as a powerhouse for commissioning contemporary tapestry and creating outstanding opportunities for artists and weavers alike."
"While the British Museum highlights the Bayeux Tapestry and key moments in history, Dovecot Studios and Guildhall Art Gallery are proud to be playing their part in celebrating the future of UK tapestry."
Beyond Bayeux: Tapestry Now will run from October 23 until March 21 at Guildhall Art Gallery with a pay-what-you-can admission fee.
