Susie Redman in her studio in Edinburgh | Photography © Lydia Smith
Susie Redman
Handloom Weaver
Inspiration for Susie Redman’s work comes from the materials she uses, her processes of weaving and working with yarns and fibres, and the significance and history of vessels. The vessel, and its association with gathering and collecting is a crucial starting point, creating objects that convey everyday facets of human life that unite us across cultures and throughout time.
Each vessel has been handwoven on a floor loom. The warp yarn is a short fibre linen known as tow, and the weft yarn is a Japanese paper, some of which has been wrapped in silk. Once off the loom, the pieces are stitched together and homegrown willow rods are woven into the cloth to provide both structure and form.
Redman’s understanding of growing and using plant material highlights the interconnectedness of craft, nature and tradition. Redman’s work is informed by the structures willow branches provide, allowing their natural curves to inform the shapes of the vessels. By combining handwoven textiles with the organic forms of homegrown willow, her vessels embody the alchemy of transforming raw materials into objects that carry meaning, history, and a sense of shared human experience.
Biography
Susie Redman is a handloom weaver. She creates all of her textiles on a traditional floor loom from her Burntisland studio. As part of her creative practices Redman grows flax and willow on her plot and explores the boundaries and connections between loom woven linen and paper yarns mixed with willow rods, bark and flax. Sustainability is at the heart of her practice; she uses natural and organic fibres where possible.
Redman’s collection of handwoven vessels are underpinned by the activity of gathering; a smooth round beach pebble, tree bark, seed heads, pieces of slate or fossils find their way onto her shelves and into these vessels. The vessel itself references the all-essential bag needed to carry precious gathered materials.
Recent exhibitions include Framework, Dundee Design Festival (2024) and Collect, Somerset House, London (2024). Redman’s work can be seen in Bard Gallery, Edinburgh.