Ptolemy Mann exhibits at Edinburgh's Dovecot Studios
Esteemed tapestry studio Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh is proud to present the return of celebrated artist Ptolemy Mann, whose vibrant woven works will be on display in her second solo exhibition 'Woven Colour'. Featuring over 20 handwoven rugs, striking new Thread Paintings, and additional works on paper and canvas, this exhibition is a testament to Mann’s pioneering approach to textile art and her deep engagement with colour theory.
Ptolemy Mann
Over the past three decades, Mann has refined a practice that integrates the meticulous craft of hand-weaving with the expressive dynamism of painting. Her signature Thread Paintings, shown in Scotland for the first time, push the boundaries of textile art by incorporating acrylic paint directly onto woven surfaces, creating an interplay between precise, structured warp and spontaneous fluid brushstrokes.
Yellow Monolith Gelim (detail), Ptolemy Mann
Mann’s approach to weaving is deeply rooted in Bauhaus philosophy, where colour relationships are explored with scientific precision and artistic intuition. Her technique involves dyeing long warps of thread before weaving, embedding colour directly into the fabric. Working on an upright Dobby loom, she creates two-dimensional panels that transform interior spaces with their geometric clarity and rhythmic energy. Her rugs, known as ‘Gelims,’ are designed by her and woven in India using a refined Ikat technique, in which dip-dyed weft threads create soft, graduated colour transitions. The result is a collection of works that pulsate with colour, and seem to vibrate and shift before the viewer’s eyes.
Valentine Place Residency, London, UK, 2021, Ptolemy Mann with her work.
The exhibition at the Dovecot is a rare opportunity for visitors to engage with Mann’s artistic philosophy firsthand. Her influences span Abstract Expressionism, architecture, and natural optical phenomena, all of which inform her commitment to ‘Chromatic Minimalism’—a term often applied to her work for its meticulous yet emotive use of colour.
Dovecot Studios, a renowned centre for contemporary art, craft, and design, has been a hub of textile innovation since its founding in 1912. With a rich history of collaboration with international artists, it remains a vital institution for the evolution of handwoven textiles. Mann’s exhibition is a fitting addition to Dovecot’s dynamic programme, celebrating the enduring relevance of textile art in contemporary culture.
Complementary Colour (Violet Yellow), 2024, Hand-dyed and woven viscose.
Beyond her exhibition at Dovecot, Mann’s work has been widely exhibited and commissioned worldwide, with notable clients including Tate Modern, Sotheby’s, The Open University, and Hilton Hotels. She is also an accomplished lecturer, curator, and writer, regularly contributing to Selvedge magazine. Her first book, Thread Painting, offers further insight into her artistic journey and is available now.
With its fusion of tradition and innovation, Mann’s latest exhibition at Dovecot Studios is a celebration of colour, craftsmanship, and creative evolution—an unmissable event for anyone passionate about textile art and design.
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Further Information:
Woven Colour is open at the Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh, until 17th May 2025
Ptolemy Mann in Selvedge Issue 123 Silk Road
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Image Credits:
Lead Image: Ptolemy Mann, Thread Painting (Complementary Opposite Darkness), 2024, Hand-dyed and woven viscose thread, acrylic paint.
1/2/4: Ptolemy Mann
3: Ruth Ward