V&A Dundee showcases the progress of the Dundee Tapestry

The Dundee Tapestry is visual storytelling, narrating the life of the city and its people, from 1850 through to the present day, in 35 stitched panels. The full tapestry will be on show at V&A Dundee next year, but we now have the opportunity to see this monumental work in progress.



Eight panels of this community project at different stages of completion will be free to view at V&A Dundee from Monday, February 13, to Friday, March 17. This will show how the tapestry is progressing, with panels ranging from one in its first phase, through the many stages of stitching, and finally a completed panel.



The tapestry will celebrate the hidden histories of Dundee’s residents as well as exploring the city’s industrial heritage, its creative achievements and its biodiversity. All of these are intrinsic to Dundee’s role as the UK’s first UNESCO City of Design and a City of Discovery.



The eight panels featured in this first display at V&A Dundee represent the history and contemporary life of the city, from The Heckler representing the days of flax to Design, celebrating the designation as a UNESCO City of Design.



There will also be panels staging the stories of Creative Dundee, Dundee Women, Health and Nursing, Dundee Nature, The Botanic Gardens and the beloved Royal Arch.



Artist Andrew Crummy is the designer. His past work includes many other tapestries including The Great Tapestry of Scotland, which was on show at Verdant Works, a Dundee Heritage museum, in 2021. The project is led and managed by John Fyffe of the Weaver Incorporation and Nine Incorporated Trades of Dundee and Dr Frances Stevenson, Senior Lecturer at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.



The tapestry has created a community of stitchers, who have been working in groups on the panels since the spring of 2022. Many have taken up a needle and thread for the first time and are learning new skills from the more experienced. They have shared their skills and stories and knowledge, bringing Dundee to life in every stitch.

This will give visitors a taste of not only the considerable work that goes into making a tapestry, but also what they can experience when the completed Dundee Tapestry arrives at V&A Dundee in 2024.



Students from DJCAD’s Interior and Environmental Design course are involved in designing the exhibition stands for the final display in 2024. These are being constructed by carpentry and joinery students from Dundee and Angus College.



There will also be some ‘community stitch’ events at V&A Dundee where visitors will be invited to join in and find out more.  



The first of these is happening on Sunday, February 26, when the public can meet some of the stitchers involved in the tapestry in Stitch and Stories and see them at work.

Also, Drop In + Design, a free event for families from 1 to 4pm. Inspired by the arrival of the tapestry, our friendly designers will be on hand to help people of all ages and abilities to stitch, embellish and bring a pattern to life. There will also be a mini-kit to take away and add to your creation at home.

John Fyffe of the Weaver Incorporation and Nine Incorporated Trades of Dundee said:

“The tapestry has reached a stage where we are ready to let the people of Dundee see its development from initial concept through to completion, where we get to tell the amazing story of this great city of ours.

“There is more to do but the collaboration shown to date from public, private and civic partners is extraordinary as they all get behind this project. I am very proud that V&A Dundee has agreed to display and host this going forward.”



Frances Stevenson, Senior Lecturer at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, said:

“It’s brilliant that V&A Dundee, the city’s and Scotland’s Design Museum is giving us the opportunity to show the tapestry as it evolves, and to engage with the public to help it evolve. I’m looking forward to hearing more stories about Dundee and help get people stitching!”



Joanna Mawdsley, Head of Learning at V&A Dundee said:

“The Dundee Tapestry is a wonderful co-designed community artwork that celebrates the history and creativity of the city in glorious stitch. We’re so happy to have it in the Museum, and look forward to welcoming the stitchers – experienced and beginners alike to share their work with our visitors.”