Episode 84

Stitching in Prison: An Interview with Fine Cell Work


Detail from Cornelia Parker’s Magna Carta (An Embroidery), a 13m long work replicating the entire Wikipedia article on the Magna Carta.

Detail from Cornelia Parker’s Magna Carta (An Embroidery), a 13m long work replicating the entire Wikipedia article on the Magna Carta.

Detail from Cornelia Parker’s Magna Carta (An Embroidery), a 13m long work replicating the entire Wikipedia article on the Magna Carta.

Ai Weiwei’s Odyssey in Quilting, 2019, part of Fine Cell Work’s Human Touch collaborative project and exhibition, exhibited and auctioned by Sotheby’s in 2020.

Ai Weiwei’s Odyssey in Quilting, 2019, part of Fine Cell Work’s Human Touch collaborative project and exhibition, exhibited and auctioned by Sotheby’s in 2020.

The Hands Cushion, a collaboration with London College of Fashion student Laura Avey, and designed to give stitchers creative freedom to choose stitch placement and techniques.

The Hands Cushion, a collaboration with London College of Fashion student Laura Avey, and designed to give stitchers creative freedom to choose stitch placement and techniques.

The Cottage Cushion, an in-house embroidery design that give stitchers the freedom to choose their own colours, stitch techniques and details.
Detail from the Cottage Cushion.
Detail from the Cottage Cushion.
Detail from the Cottage Cushion.

Carolina Mazzolari’s Void, 2019, part of Fine Cell Work’s Human Touch collaborative project and exhibition, exhibited and auctioned by Sotheby’s in 2020.

Dresden work cradle cloth, circa 1750, Rijksmuseum.
Hand-stitched snowman ornaments from Fine Cell Work.

A 38ft long altar kneeler commissioned by Holy Trinity Sloane Square (also known as the Cathedral of Arts & Crafts), designed by artist Cressida Bell.

A 38ft long altar kneeler commissioned by Holy Trinity Sloane Square (also known as the Cathedral of Arts & Crafts), designed by artist Cressida Bell.

A set of 14 dining chairs commissioned by a private client, featuring needlework inspired by medieval hunting scenes.

A set of 14 dining chairs commissioned by a private client, featuring needlework inspired by medieval hunting scenes.

A Pet Cushion commission – Fine Cell Work can translate a beloved pet (like Rollo, pictured) into a unique needlepoint work of art.

The Cell Quilt, depicting the aerial view of a life-size version of a two-man prison cell.

The HMP Wandsworth Quilt, commissioned for the V&A, sewn and designed by inmates of HMP Wandsworth, and conveying the experience of incarceration through stitch.