This page brings together a selection of my solo and group exhibitions, shown across galleries, public spaces and non-traditional venues, including The Imperial War Museum, North, The Houses of Parliament and The Museum of Making.
My practice spans textiles and collaborative work, often shaped by lived experience, care, loss and recovery.
Current & Upcoming exhibitions
- Implement: Dean Clough Mills, Halifax. March- May 2027 Group exhibition with the Textile Study Group.
- UNmaking: Museum in the Park, Stroud. Sept- Nov 2026
- I SEE you: Festival of Quilts. 30th July – 2nd Aug 2026
- A Bombers Moon: National Trusts Lyme Park. June 2025 – Oct 2026
- UnMaking: Constance Howard Gallery, Goldsmiths, London Feb- March 2026
Group Exhibitions showing ‘Under Repair’. A series of works made during my recovery from major surgery and throughout chemotherapy. Using fragments of WhatsApp messages sent to my family, the work forms a snapshot diary of being unmade and slowly remade.
Selected Recent exhibitions
- I SEE You: Various venues 2025
A socially engaged project working with parent carers of children with non‑visible disabilities. Through workshops and mail‑art participation, the work explores loss, discovery and everyday resilience. George Marshall Medical Museum Worcester. The Museum of Making, Derby. The Level Centre, Derbyshire. 2025
- Material Power: Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire 2025
My art quilt From Roots to the Sky was part of the exhibition Material Power. It highlighted themes of female agency, power, and identity. It draws parallels between the artistic expression of modern artists and the legacy of Elizabeth “Bess” of Hardwick.
- Comfort the Breast Quilt: Various venues 2024
A participatory textile project developed in response to breast cancer. The work brings together personal stories, care and collective making, creating space for conversation around bodies, vulnerability and support. Tour included: Association of Breast Surgery Conference. Glasgow Women’s Library. Festival of Quilts, NEC Birmingham. Blythe House Hospice, Derbyshire. The Infirmary, Worcester
- War Widow’s Stories: Various venues 2019 – 2025
Imperial War Museum North, National Army Museum, London. St George’s Hall, Liverpool. The Queens House, Royal Museums Greenwich. The National Memorial Arboretum Staffordshire.
- Making 50: exhibition of Unfolding Beauty, hand fans. 2023
Textile Study Group. Tweeddale Gallery, Peebles. The Ropewalk, Barton upon Humber
- Necklace of Stars: Tour to Derbyshire Museums, Libraries and Art Galleries. Including Museum of Making, Derby. 2023
2021
- Here Comes the Sun: Tour including Bury Art Museum and Festival of Quilts, NEC
- Insights: Textile Study Group, Festival of Quilts
- Book of Ours: Manchester Cathedral
2018
2016- 1917
- Sing me to Sleep: Manchester Central Library Bury Art Museum and National Gallery of Art Vilnius, Lithuania
- Stitching the Wars: Derbyshire Records Office, Buxton Museum and Art Gallery, Derbyshire Libraries and National Trust’s Lyme Park
- The Homeless Library: Manchester Central Library, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank, London, and The Houses of Parliament, London
Selected Earlier exhibitions 2007-2013
- The Warm /&/ the cold: Holden Gallery, Manchester. Summerhall Edinburgh
- A Map of You: Text Festival Bury, BBC Online, Media City UK, Bury Transport Museum, BBC Big Screen
- Kindness: Piccadilly Station Manchester, BBC Big Screens Manchester
1991-2007
Between 1991 and 2007, I exhibited extensively across the UK, with work shown in over 50 galleries. Alongside exhibitions, my practice included illustration commissions for newspapers and magazines, the creation of large wall hangings, framed textile works, and rugs made for domestic and public spaces.
A detailed exhibition history from this period is available on request.
Find out more
Interested in current or upcoming exhibitions, or discussing future opportunities?
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Lois Blackburn 