Lorna BIRCHAM

Profile

Born in 1949 Graduated from MA TEXTILE DESIGN ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART LONDON in 1978.
Recent main activities are
Ever and Again - 2007 Chelsea College of Arts London
Mind the Gap -2008 Art in the Healing Environment- Houses of Parliament London
All staff exhibition - 2015 "Digital Hands" - Chelsea College of Arts London

I am a professional textile designer who has worked freelance and as a consultant since graduating from the Royal College of Art in 1978. However, I am primarily an educator in the higher education sector and am passionate about sustainable design practice. Since 1978 I have developed the weave specialist programme at Chelsea College of Arts and many of my students have achieved professional acclaim. I am also now currently the course leader of the Masters Textile Design programme, a course that I have developed over the past 10 year with a reputation for encouraging sustainable design solutions. In 2014 I received the UAL teaching award.

My personal work as a consultant designer on projects in India mainly focused on cultural craft development. In particular, my focus has been on the indigenous woven silks of Assam - Muga and Eri. My time spent in India over the past 17 years has influenced and impressed upon me how important fabric is to every section of society. I am an avid collector and have acquired a lot of textiles from my travels, which I use frequently as sources of inspiration and examples for my students. I am keen to use this experience to add to my knowledge and collection to continue use in my teaching capacity.

About works / performance

Woven fabric collection freelance sold to industry clients
Cotton woven on 24 shaft dobby loom

Woven fabric collection freelance sold to industry clients
Wool and silk woven on 24 shaft dobby loom

Woven furnishing fabric Sold to industry clients
Cotton woven on 24 shaft dobby loom

Consultancy collection For the North Eastern Handicraft
and Handloom Development Corporation (NHHDC) Assam India
Local Assamese silks Eri and Muga woven on craft looms furnishing collection

Consultancy collection NHHDC Assam India
Local Assamese silks Eri and Muga woven on craft looms- furnishing collection

Digital Hands
Digital printed image onto handwoven Assamesse Muga silk
Wall covering 1m x 3m