Tuesday 22 - Wednesday 23 September 2026, 11 - 4 p.m.: Workshop, Threads of Paper: Woven Structures and Mark-Making using Paper Thread with Sue Lawty and Kendall Clarke

Museum of the Home, 136 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8EA, United Kingdom

Investigate woven structure and mark-making through experiments with paper thread with Kendall Clarke & Sue Lawty.

Kendall Clarke has worked extensively with paper yarns, using weaving along with painting, mark-making and erasure to create her wall pieces and sculptures. Her work is characterised by fineness and detail, and is informed by a subtle aesthetic, influenced by the simple beauty of Japanese crafts. She often uses the making process to explore unexpected material partnerships or processes. Her use of transparency together with piercings, apertures and loose threads give the works an air of precariousness and vulnerability. She has exhibited in Europe, North America and Japan.

An award from the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust enabled Clarke to study the traditional techniques of paper thread making and spinning in Japan with renowned expert Hiroko Karuno. She now makes her own bespoke paper yarns and passes on her knowledge of this fast-disappearing craft to other artists and makers.

Sue Lawty's minimal and abstract works are strongly informed by the material of their construction and characterised by quiet rhythm, repetition and meticulous attention to detail. Whether making drawings and assemblages using tiny stones creating a kind of pixelated cloth or weaving in linen, hemp, raphia, paper or lead, she talks of the 'integrity of mark making intrinsic to particular thread or structure'.

Lawty is a highly experienced artist, designer and teacher, whose work is in collections worldwide including the Victoria and Albert Museum, London where, as Artist in Residence/ Associate Artist 2005 – 2010, alongside a solo exhibition of her work, she developed bespoke affiliated education and community projects. Prestigious Artist Research Fellowships include Smithsonian Museums USA, the University of Leeds and the International Artist Studio Programme in Sweden. All these experiences continue to provide stimulus for her creative thinking.

Lawty is also a keen fell runner and an accomplished trekker, leading both hard mountain treks and specialist textile trips to Bhutan, India and Central Asia. The book 'Earth Materials' was published in 2017 about her work.

Event description
Enjoy the rare dynamism of working alongside two textile professionals in this two-day paper and weave workshop. 

You will learn the ancient Japanese techniques of turning paper into thread. Additionally, participants will use paper cord and a variety of found papers to explore texture, content and design within woven compositions.

The workshop will be structured but flexible, allowing independent open- ended experimentation and research. Historical textile examples as well as the tutors’ own work will offer inspiration and ideas.

Personalised exchange across the two sessions is designed to strengthen rigour and critical awareness. Each individual will be guided towards increasing discernment in pursuit of distinctive discrete expression.

Materials and equipment will be provided. Please bring your own frame or small loom in addition to any papers you wish to experiment with. (The advantage of using your own frame is that weaving can be continued following the course.)

Familiarity with setting up a warp on a simple frame is expected.

Materials List:

You may bring:
Your own selection of warp threads + any of your own weft threads that would like to use e.g. found papers (brown paper bags / newspaper/ magazine paper / paper patterns / old maps/ old letters or account sheets/ cardboard box etc.) twines, raphia, linen, hemp, ramie, cotton, silk, fine wire, etc.

Please Bring:
• Portable loom or strong, simple frame – at least 45 x 30
cm. (NOT a picture frame). No nails.
• Cutting mat
• Metal ruler 
• Small sharp scissors
• Household fork or tapestry bobbins (whichever you like to use)
• Sewing needles & thread
• Flat 6” Ruler or thin lath of wood (for separating warp threads)
• Sketchbook/ notebook.
• Camera

Event Cancellation Policy
All bookings are non-refundable. However, if you let us know that you are unable to attend an event you have booked at least two weeks before the event, we will open up your place. If we find another participant, you will be offered a credit note.

Visit Kendall Clarke's Website
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Visit Sue Lawty's Webpage
Follow Sue Lawty on Instagram