Rethread the Loom is a chance to reflect on the creative outcomes and working processes of weavers, Chantelle Folarin, Gugan Gill, Mahawa Keita, Clare Langford, Andrée Walker and Theo Wright, who undertook micro-residencies during Ikon’s Thread the Loom exhibition (2025).

Thread the Loom was the second in Ikon’s trilogy of exhibitions inviting visitors to observe, engage with and participate in traditional and contemporary art and craft practices. The series champions valuable specialist workshop provision and the expertise that exists within educational institutions in the region.

Woven textiles form a vibrant expressive language—deeply rooted in tradition yet powerfully relevant to contemporary culture. This exhibition celebrates the breadth of textile practice today, showcasing diverse ways of thinking, making, and transforming materials.

At its heart is the AVL Studio Dobby loom, once again taking centre stage. Blending the heritage of hand weaving with the possibilities of computer‑aided design, the loom will be actively used by BCU Artists in Residence and Textile Design academics. Their demonstrations reveal the dynamic relationship between technical skill and creative exploration, embodying a true STEAM approach.

Visitors are invited to experience the weaving process up close—offering a rare opportunity to witness how woven textiles are constructed and to see the innovative outcomes that emerge from this fusion of craft, technology, and imagination.