In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Helen Adams.
Helen is the Textile Curator who has been shining a light on contemporary textile art on her terrific blog since 2014. Her fantastic book, Textile Fine Art (https://www.laurenceking.com/products/textile-fine-art?utm_source=NeedleXChange) was published in September 2025.
In this first part of our chat we talk about making a textile art book that lasts longer than algorithms, how you choose artists when everyone is good, and what kinds of work genuinely “buzz your buttons”.
We also get into exhibitions and the pressure of doing textile art justice in major spaces, including Saatchi, plus the practical logistics of hanging work properly.
Helen is curating a show at Saatchi Gallery! Textile Art Redefined (https://www.saatchigallery.com/exhibition/textile-art-redefined) runs from April 10th - May 10th which is a must-see if you're in the vicinity.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 – Introduction
00:03:40 - Helen’s career shift from fashion to textile curation
00:05:45 - The inspiration behind her publication and showcasing textile artists
00:08:06 - Curating at Saatchi Art: the process and challenges
00:13:41 - The importance of art galleries and Helen's vision for a textile hub
00:17:45 - The recognition of textile art in the mainstream art scene
00:21:50 - Challenges of managing art spaces and exhibition logistics
00:25:46 - The significance of personal relationships with artists
00:30:05 - The creative process and inspiration behind textile projects
Links:
Instagram: textilecurator (https://www.instagram.com/textilecurator/)
Website: textilecurator.com (https://www.textilecurator.com?utm_source=needlexchange)
You can get a 20% discount on Helen's book with free shipping from the Lawrence King website (https://www.laurenceking.com/products/textile-fine-art?utm_source=NeedleXChange) until April 9th using the code MRXSTITCH at checkout.
Intro music is U Dirty Dawg by Def Lev via Epidemic Sound (https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/3403dx) .
About NeedleXChange
An artist interview podcast exploring contemporary embroidery and textile art. Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers.
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