Dovecot Studios employs 9 people in the weaving team who bring with them over 50 collective years of experience of weaving with Dovecot.
Weavers
Naomi Robertson – Master Weaver & Tapestry Studio Manager
Naomi is a Master Weaver who joined Dovecot Studios after graduating from Edinburgh College of Art with a BA(hons) in Tapestry in 1990. In 2011, Naomi travelled to West Bengal, India to visit local weavers and craftsmen. On her return, she designed and wove a tapestry based on this experience that featured in Heirlooms exhibition, part of the Edinburgh International Festival. She has since been made a member of the Incorporation of Weavers of Glasgow. A highlight of her tapestry career was weaving a corset, shoes and headpiece in collaboration with fashion designer Chrissie Clyne. Naomi has worked on some of the Studio’s highest profile projects, both designing for and weaving on commissions.
David Cochrane – Master Weaver
David has worked at Dovecot for over 30 years and since completing his apprenticeship at Dovecot Studios, David has worked on some of the studio’s highest profile projects. In addition to his years at Dovecot, he has also woven in workshops of Paris and Nuremberg, and in 2009 travelled to Pangnirtung, on Baffin Island, to work with an Inuit tapestry workshop on a commission for the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Jonathan Cleaver – Weaver
Jonathan Cleaver is a member of the Weaving team working at the heart of the Studios. After completing the BA(Hons) Tapestry at Edinburgh College of Art, Jonathan worked in related textile fields, including conservation at Burleigh House, before joining Dovecot Studios as a Weaver. He is particularly interested in tapestries that reference historic textile structures and designs. He works on a range of scales from Tapestries to collaborating on smaller pieces with Jeweller, David Poston. Jonathan also specialises in gun tufting Dovecot rugs.
Rudi Richardson – Weaver
Rudi was introduced to tapestry through studying Navajo weaving at college in 1971. He furthered his education by assisting San Francisco Tapestry Workshop (SFTW) to produce banners for Judy Chicago’s ‘The Dinner Party’ in 1978, Rudi then joined SFTW in 1979. He worked with San Francisco artist Mark Adams for many years. Rudi worked for West Dean Tapestry Studio between 2007 and 2013 on their Unicorn Project at Stirling Castle. He started working at Dovecot Studios in 2014.
EmmaJo Webster – Weaver
Emma Jo graduated from Edinburgh College of Art Tapestry Department in 1989. She then went on to set up her own studio in Glasgow where she works towards exhibitions and commissions. Emma Jo has previously worked for West Dean Tapestry Studio in West Sussex on various projects, including most recently ‘The Hunt of The Unicorn’ at Stirling Castle.
Emma Jo joined the weaving team at the Dovecot in February 2015.
Ben Hymers – Apprentice Weaver
Ben is Dovecot’s Apprentice Tapestry Weaver. His apprenticeship will last three years where he will learn the traditional skills of tapestry weaving. Ben hopes to build a relationship with the cultural and historical traditions of artist craftsmanship at Dovecot whilst developing a personal, creative identity. He feels privileged to be part of the evolving lineage of this highly skilled and beautiful art form. Originally from Leeds, Ben has an MA (Hons) History of Art from the University of Edinburgh, starred in the BAFTA nominated The 1940s House and is a part-time Close-up Magician and amateur footballer. His paintings and illustrations are available from The Janet Henderson Gallery.
Dennis Reinmüller – Rug Tufter
Dennis J. Reinmüller graduated from Edinburgh College of Art’s sculpture department in 2013. His practice is spanning from sculptures and drawings to performances and videos. He is currently based in Glasgow, where he is also a committee member of the Market Gallery.
Kristi Vana – Rug tufter
Kristi works part time 2 days a week she has recently worked on a private commission with Timorous Beasties and in collaboration with Linder, both Kristi and Dennis created the Diagrams of Love: Marriage of Eyes rug which is currently touring as part of the British Art Show 8.