Material Encounters: Contemporary Textiles in Focus

Material Encounters: Contemporary Textiles in Focus

From 20 – 22 March 2026, the Landmark Arts Centre continues its 30th Anniversary Celebrations with an expansion of its biennial Contemporary Textiles Fair. ‘Material Encounters: Contemporary Textiles in Focus’ brings together four core strands: a curated exhibition of contemporary artworks, selected panels from the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt, and a programme of workshops, talks, and live demonstrations. At its centre remains our much-loved textiles fair.

‘Material Encounters’ curated exhibition offers audiences a direct engagement with contemporary textile art. As part of this exhibition, we are pleased to include selected panels from the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt. AIDS Quilt UK is a partnership of seven HIV support charities working together to conserve the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt, to make it available for public viewing, and to ensure it remains a living and lasting testimony of the individual lives lost to AIDS and the social history of HIV activism in the United Kingdom. Find out more about the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt by visiting their website: https://www.aidsquiltuk.org/

Workshops & Demos

Throughout the event we have a diverse programme of workshops suitable for all levels, as well as artist talks and demos from our exhibitors, highlighting their process and artistic practice. Whether you’re interested in embroidery for beginners, traditional block printing or making miniature worlds, there’s something for everyone to get involved with across this weekend of celebration. Find out more and book here. All workshop tickets come with weekend fair entry.

Reading of the Names

(Featured photography of the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt exhibited in its entirety within Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall, by Kathleen Rundell.)