Sue Gascoyne is an artist who loves pushing the boundaries of materiality to confront challenging issues

Sue Gascoyne is a socially engaged artist whose current practice uses textiles, stitch, painting, mark-making and mixed media to explore identity, agency, trauma, safety and connections.

Sue’s sensory-rich work explores what it means to be human. The hand of the maker is evident in the plethora of practices used by Sue to bring these sculptures to life. Mark-making takes the form of ink, paint, stitch or wire, while composition, colour and form are crafted through a language of stitch, embellishing and distorting mixed media.

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Tried out life drawing yesterday as part of my Firstsite Collectors’ Group Bursary Award grant and LOVED IT!!!!! Will definitely be going again. Thanks to the wonderful model & artist - Emily for her generous sitting & advice.

Pastels & charcoal on paper.
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@theotherma @firstsitecolchester @37queenst @studio459tomar #lifedrawing #abstractfigurative #charcoal #femaleidentity #bodilyart #womanartist #artexperiments #artoninstagram

I love it when I return to something I’ve made and give it a new life. In this piece I wanted to create a cloud-like fantastical home, suspended and trapped within a web of tendrils. Repurposed wooden structure, recycled velvet cushion, buttons, doilies and wool, foraged driftwood and childhood dollshouse furniture held together with wires wrapped with recycled yarn & thread.
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@theotherma @37queenst @sheltercharity #upcycledart #sustainablearts #textilesculptures #mixedmediasculpture #home #shelter #safety #wrappedwiresculpture #domestic #womanartist #textileartistsofinstagram #artoninstagram #earthmonthchallenge2025 #creativereuse #zerowasteart

Thanks @nelsonpainter for sparking more abstract figurative investigations with line, density, texture & opacity. Stale coffee on reclaimed velour and coffee & stitch on calico using a large angled decorating brush. Love the alchemy of watching the sprinkled powder transform.
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@nelsonpainter @theotherma @37queenst @studio459tomar #figurativepainting #figurativeabstraction #bodilyart #identity #femalebody #experimentsinart #textileart #coffeepainting #mentalhealth #wellbeing #playingwithart #artistoninstagram #womenempowerment #womenartists

Figurative experiments with stitch & stale coffee on repurposed velour.
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@theotherma @space_studios_london @37queenst @studio459tomar #textileart #bodilyart #femaleart #experimentsinart #artoninstagram #coffeepainting #figurativeabstraction #identityinart #lifedrawing #playingwithmaterials #markmaking

Inspired by the figurative marks made with grasses on residency at wonderful @studio459tomar, I’ve been experimenting with stitching the female form. I’m loving the way the sewing machine tension is amplifying the hairiness of these stitched sketches on repurposed calico and dry wet wipes.

Thanks to Mark, Joao & Poppy @studio459tomar, & Agnes & Will.

With no formal art training I’m finding Louise Gordon’s book - The Figure in Action - Anatomy for Artists so helpful. Can’t wait to start life drawing!
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@theotherma @space_studios_london @studio459tomar @37queenst #figurativeabstraction #female body #textileart #hair #figurativestitch #figurative stitching #fiberart #artexperiments #artoninstagram #abstractart #markmaking

A break in the rain yesterday gave lots of time for playing with marks yesterday @studio459tomar

Indian ink, acrylic, tea bags, bark, grass & plants on lining paper.
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@studio459tomar @theotherma @37queenst #markmaking #naturalart #bodilyart @artexperiments #installationart #artoninstagram #femaleartist

Rosette- Thinking about all the amazing women who have touched my life. And also showing myself some love on Mother’s Day.

Fabric scraps & thread
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@barbaralong_art @ruup.and.form @theotherma @artcontex @37queenst @sheryljenny @quinslynne @gascoyne.f_ @christineagallantart @ellajohnstonart #womensart #textile artist #textileart #sustainableart #domesticart #selfcare #selfcareisntselfish #selflove❤️ #gratitude

Loving these ruby red nails! ‘Patient’ is an autobiographical textile & mixed media piece.

Scrim, wire & beads
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@theotherma @artcontex @37queenst #womensart #textileart #textileartist #fiberartnowmagazine #fiberartist #domestic #domesticart #storytellingart #autobiographicalart #mentalhealth #artoninstagram #bodilyart

Getting ideas for things to make for @artcontex @theminories in October.

Experimenting with a wool loom using 32g wire. Loving seeing what textures & patterns I can make using free-form ‘stitches’.
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@theotherma @artcontex @theminories @37queenst @textilecollectiveuk #woolloom #wirecrochet #vessels #texture #textileartists #textileart #mixedmediaart #artoninstagram #experimentingart

If you suffer from gallery fatigue then Sanctuary could be the perfect pick you up. An artwork that literally feels like a hug. Tag me & @beecroftartgallery with your own pics.

Sanctuary - a textile & mixed media installation is available until 11th May @beecroftartgallery
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@theotherma @37queenst @artcontex #artexhibition #freeart @southendmuseums @southend.creatives #textileartist #textileart #textilesculpture #bodilyart #womensart #emergingartist #domestic #mentalhealth #wellbeing #artoninstagram

Thanks soooo much Tessa Hallmann for her wonderful photos of Sanctuary @beecroftartgallery & Kevin & the Beecroft team for their bravery in hosting this power exhibition. Huge thanks to @emerrrhhhh @theotherma & @elliotgibbons for supporting us & @ellajohnstonart @lucydaleyillustration @becky.bbeast & @mwbewick for sorting & cutting up the amazing signage - sublime

@Rejectreflectreclaim is @beecroftartgallery, Southend on Sea until 11th May.
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#artexhibition @southendmuseums @southend.creatives @theotherma @37queenst #powerfulart #freeexhibition #artoninstagram @metalsouthend @focalpointgallery @firstsitecolchester #emergingartists #activistart @tessahallmann

What a gorgeous celebration of women! If you haven’t visited, today’s your last chance to see this ecclectic show @theminories Thanks to Lora Aziz for her wonderful curation.

Flow, 2025, uses an old bike saddle & cushion, lace doilies, wire, beads & scrim.
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@theminories @internationalwomensday_global @theotherma @artcontex #womensart #domesticart #bodilyart #textileart #textileartist #fibreart #fiberart #texture #equality #wellbeing @wyrd_flora @textilecollectiveuk @tina.bullen @37queenst joannejonewman

A huge thanks to Focal Point, TOMA & all the beautiful people that helped make this happen.
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@focalpointgallery @theotherma @ellajohnstonart @becky.bbeast @selenachandler @karen_christensenart @my_executive_dysfunction_ @joannemorrison72 @dot.i.stuff @_nathalie_coste_ @man_beater @amylouiseryall @td.godwin @lucydaleyillustration artofmajik

Playing with loom knitting! Thanks to Kirsta @textilecollectiveuk for showing me how to use the loom & The Crochet Crowd’s video for teaching me how to finish the piece. Pink floristry wire from @d.byfordsons
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@artcontex @37queenst @theotherma @textilecollectiveuk @thecrochetcrowd #loomknitting #wirecrochet #textileartist #textileart #mixedmediaart #experimentingwithart #artoninstagram #wellbeing #vessels

Have you tried using a knitting loom? Found it really relaxing & satisfyingly quick to grow, unlike my first crochet attempt!! Thanks so much Kirsta @textilecollectiveuk & Sophia @wiseramtheatre for hosting a free mending session last week in which I had the opportunity to try using a knitting loom. Next in my list is trying cordage.
Recycled yarn.
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@textilecollectiveuk @wiseramtheatre #knittingloom #textileartist #textilesculpture #fibreart #fiberart #domesticart #playingwithmaterials #crochet #knitting #cordage

Reflections on the triptych in Sanctuary @beecroftartgallery…. I’ve really struggled to showcase this piece how I intended & have felt disappointed that my lighting isn’t doing it justice. Thanks so much Kevin @beecroftartgallery for working with me to get this right. Am ordering a new light to light up the pink gauzy structure from inside better as am getting through 3 Duracell batteries a week currently 😳🙈I’d love to hear your thoughts & suggestions.

Various recycled materials, wall paper paste & wrapped wire.
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@beecroftartgallery @theotherma @reject reflect reclaim #textilesculpture #textileartist #textileart #artexhibition #lightingart #artchallenges #triptych #artoninstagram #sustainableart #sanctuary #artquestions

What a lovely day of making art alongside creatives of all ages @focalpointgallery as part of the @theotherma TOMA Takeover!!!
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@focalpointgallery @theotherma @southend.creatives @southendmuseums @artcontex #artworkshops #textileartist #textileart @firstsitecolchester @theminories @creativecolchester

Feel privileged to be a part of this celebration of women @theminories. Opened on @internationalwomensday_global Flow shines a light on women’s essential life-giving role as a safe container & provider of care & nutrients.

Textile & mixed media piece created from a broken bike saddle, repurposed velvet cushion cover, doilies, yarn, thread & beads - all repurposed. Wrapped wire.
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@internationalwomensday_global @theminories @theotherma @t_artpress @artcontex @beecroftartgallery #womensart #domesticart #textileart #texture #textileartist #textilesculpture #artoninstagram #sustainableart #bodilyart @loubuck01 #flow #ovaries #breast

@beecroftartgallery @focalpointgallery @southend.creatives @southendmuseums @theotherma @whatsonessex__ #textileart #textileartist @toma_takeover #rejectreflectreclaim #artworkshops #textilesculpture

I seem to have a bit of a fascination with breast- like vessels currently! Pic 1 is part of Flow - showing @theminories from 8th - 22nd March.
Pic 2 is part of Sanctuary - showing @beecroftartgallery until 11th May.

Watercoloured scrim, wallpaper paste, wire, piping, satin, woollen ball all repurposed & drftwood from Mersea beach.

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@beecroftartgallery @theminories @artcontex @37queenst #bodilyart #womensart #textileart #textileartist #fiberart #fibreart #textilesculpture #femaleidentity #domesticart #artoninstagram🎨 #sanctuary #flow #mixedmediaartist #mothersinart #vessels #eggs #artexhibition #merseaisland

This part of Sanctuary @beecroftartgallery reminds me of seaweed, flotsam & jetsam washed up on the shore line. Born out of a need to work with my hands to process something difficult, & then hours spent trying to salvage something positive from it, I’m now ok with this piece, worked from calico, blanket, vegetable bag netting, wool, felting, ribbon, yarn, thread & packaging - all repurposed, dyed, manipulated & transformed.

Wrapped wire tangles. Join me on Saturday afternoon 12.30 - 3.30 @focalpointgallery to find out how to create.

Driftwood from Mersea beach.
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@beecroftartgallery @theotherma #driftwood #artsculpture #textileart #textileartist #textilesculpture #fiberartist #fiberarts #fibreart #mental-health #healing #domestic-art #domestic #womanartist #woman’s art

Thanks so much @focalpointgallery for inviting me to run this workshop. Excited to meet lots of people & hear their stories while working with textiles. Thanks also to @theotherma & @barbaralong_art. Join me & talented fellow artist @joannemorrison72 for a lush afternoon. Why not visit @beecroftartgallery as well to see the textile tangles I’ve made in Sanctuary.
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@southend.creatives @southendmuseums @focalpointgallery @theotherma @beecroftartgallery #sanctuary #textileart #textilecraft #textilemaking #textileworkshop #freeart #emergingartist #womenartist #dropinworkshop @sue.gascoyne #fiberart #fibreart #textilesculptures #textileartist #wrappingwire

The trouble with creating a large installation space made up of lots of different parts, is it’s really hard to photograph it all! I’m learning a lot from this, my first group exhibition & an ambitious sized space! 🤣 Lighting the space to be soft & inviting & yet still to be able to see the detail of work is another challenge Sanctuary has presented. Finally discovering the impact of lights from other artist’s stands has added to the mix. But hopefully visitors to Sanctuary @beecroftartgallery can still appreciate & enjoy being in the space. I’d love to know what you think.
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@beecroftartgallery @theotherma @37queenst @artcontex #domestic #domesticart #textileart #textileartist #textilesculptures #nests #vessels #womensart #healing art #mentalhealth #artoninstagram #fiberart #fibreart #southend #artexhibitions #installationart #bodilyart #femaleidentity #safety #wellbeing #textiles #contemporaryart #contemporarysculpture #suspendedart #artlights #artspace #sanctuary #suegascoyne #sustainableartpractices #sustainableart

Sanctuary @beecroftartgallery. Available until 11th May for a warm embrace.
Humble fabric, hand dyed & stitched filled with recycled packaging. Stitching this felt like a surgeon piecing together layers of subcutaneous fat & tissue. I’d love to hear what you think.
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@theotherma #rejectreflectreclaim @beecroftartgallery @37queenst @artcontex #domesticart #textileart #textileartist #textilesculpture #immersiveart #wellbeing #mentalhealth #bodilyart #womensart #visceralart #artoninstagram #newartist

Sanctuary - now showing @beecroftartgallery till 11th May features an ambitious dyed, stitched & cushioned floor with large embracing sculpture from which to reflect & absorb the myriad of hanging & wall mounted nest-like forms in the space.

Repurposed hand dyed & stitched calico, muslin, upholstering fabric, packaging filler, thread, yarn & beads. Wet & dry felting. Embellished materials, woollen balls, vegetable bag netting & driftwood from Mersea beach. Wrapped wire tendrils.

@theotherma @37queenst #textile sculpture #textileart #textileartist #fiberart #fibre art #artoninstagram #domesticart #womensart #womenshealth #vessels #nests #artexhibitions #contemporarytextiles #installationart #interactiveart #sanctuary #wellbeing #mentalhealth #womensvoices

I’m very proud to share some snippets of Sanctuary @beecroftartgallery till 11th May.
Humble repurposed textiles hand & machine stitched, felted, embellished & beaded. Wrapped wires. Driftwood.
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@beecroftartgallery @theotherma @37queenst #textileartist #textileart #textilesculpture #fiberart #fibreart #immersiveart #interactiveart #bodilyart #womensart #domesticart #artoninstagram #slowstitching #mentalhealth #wellbeing #vessels #traumahealing Thanks to @ellajohnstonart & @chanelvegas.art for the pics.

Reject, Reflect, Reclaim @beecroftartgallery opens today 2.00 - 4.30! @theotherma TOMA Takeover @focalpointgallery at 2pm today.

More fantastical eggs making their way to #rejectreflectreclaim install @theotherma @beecroftartgallery. Repurposed wooden balls, fabric scraps, thread & beads.
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@southendmuseums @theotherma @beecroftartgallery @artcontex @37queenst #textileart #textileartist #fiberart #fibreart #texture #textilesculpture #slowstitch #eggs #domesticart #womensart #artoninstagram #exhibition #sanctuary #sue.gascoyne

Texture exploration. Embellished material, watercolour dyed pom-poms & dry felting.
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@theotherma @37queenst @artcontex #texture #textureexploration #textiletexture #textileart #textileartist #fiberart #fibreart #embellisher #textilelayers #tactilesculpture #wellbeing #artoninstagram

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@sue.gascoyne

My Portfolio

Coming to art relatively late, following a life-changing accident in 2023, I am enjoying exploring different media - whether repurposed textiles and stitch; stale coffee, ink and paper; or a dumped bike saddle! Welcome to my portfolio of projects and experimental art. Here you’ll find a selection of my exhibited work and projects.

Resting

A mixed media installation exploring what it means to take shelter.

Flow

Sparked by a dumped broken bike saddle, discovered on a walk, this piece playfully explores what it means to be a woman from a bodily perspective. This textile and mixed media piece explores women’s bodies and gendered roles as containers and conduits of life. Using doilies and humble domestic materials, accented by the rich velvet from a charity shop cushion cover, it shines a light on the importance of flow - whether menstrual blood, lactating milk, or the lack of it in menopausal women. By incorporating a discarded broken bike saddle Flow also highlights the importance of protecting Mother Earth , the ultimate container of life.

Sanctuary Installation: the Beecroft Art Gallery

My exhibition forms part of the TOMA Takeover - Reject Reflect Reclaim, an eclectic and powerfully thought-provoking group exhibition, at the Beecroft Art Gallery in Southend from 22 February - 11 May 2025.

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Sue Gascoyne is an artist who loves pushing the boundaries of materiality to confront challenging issues

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Follow us on Instagram

My Portfolio

Sue Gascoyne Art