Celebrating sustainable textiles rooted in land, craft, and nature.
This April, I am honoured to be part of a beautiful exhibition at Trebah Garden titled 'A Greener Future for British Fibre'.
Running from 2 April to 29 April 2026, this exhibition brings together contemporary textile artists working with locally sourced, sustainable fibres. It is a celebration of heritage craft, environmental awareness, and the powerful connection between land, materials, and creativity.
Set within Trebah’s gallery space, the exhibition is free to view and open daily 9:30 am – 5:00 pm.
Visitors will experience work inspired by Cornwall’s landscapes, coastlines, and soils, demonstrating how traditional fibres and techniques can help shape a more sustainable future for British textiles.
The Artists
The exhibition features four textile artists whose work reflects a deep connection to place and sustainable practice.
Daena Rose
Daena has worked professionally in textile art for more than 50 years. Her work focuses on natural fibres and plant dyes, creating woven and felted pieces that have been exhibited internationally. Inspired by Cornwall’s wild seas and woodland landscapes, Daena now creates wearable art and is developing a new studio in Swanpool, Falmouth. Her work highlights the beauty and potential of locally sourced wool and natural dyes.
Molly Harris
Based in Falmouth, Molly’s woven textiles explore colour, texture, and memory. Her work is deeply influenced by the Cornish coastline and often uses natural fibres and reclaimed yarns to create thoughtful, sustainable pieces.
Ellie Pyner
Born in Cornwall, Ellie’s woven collections explore both land and sea. Her series On Which We Roam focuses on the soil beneath our feet, combining earth pigments and yarn to celebrate Cornwall’s landscapes and ancient roots. Her collection Beneath the Surface dives into the hidden beauty of Cornwall’s marine ecology, translating the colours and textures of underwater life into woven textiles. Through her work, she invites people to see the natural world with new appreciation.
Jane Gray – The Nettle Lady
I am delighted to contribute my own work to this exhibition. As the founder of Nettle Revolution, my practice explores the remarkable potential of stinging nettles (Urtica dioica) as both a heritage fibre and a nourishing plant for wellbeing. For more than seven years, I have researched and worked with nettles as part of a wider exploration into:
• British plant fibres
• sustainable weaving and craft
• foraging awareness and biodiversity
• holistic wellbeing through connection with nature
My work includes handwoven nettle textiles, fibre exploration, and educational workshops designed to help people rediscover the wisdom of plants that grow all around us.
Nettles are one of Britain’s most abundant and historically important fibres. For centuries, they have been used for cloth, cordage, and community resilience. Yet today, many people still see them only as a weed. Through my work, I hope to help change that perspective. A Living Conversation About British Fibres
The exhibition invites visitors to reflect on the future of textiles and the materials we use.
Natural fibres such as wool, plant fibres, and natural dyes offer alternatives that are both environmentally responsible and deeply connected to place.
These works celebrate the role of artisans and makers in preserving traditional knowledge while also exploring new possibilities for sustainable design.
My Talk at Trebah Garden
As part of the exhibition, I will be giving a talk exploring the fascinating story of nettles as both fibre and food. 'Nettle Tea & Plant Wisdom'. Friday 10 April - 14:30 – 15:30
During this talk, I will share:
• the history of nettles as a British fibre
• the health benefits of nettle tea
• why nettles have been valued for centuries
• how reconnecting with plants can support wellbeing
You can find details and tickets on Eventbrite here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nettle-tea-plant-wisdom-tickets-1984542087807?aff=oddtdtcreator
Visit the Exhibition - A Greener Future for British Fibre
2 April – 29 April 2026
9:30 am – 5:00 pm daily
Free to view in the gallery
Location:
Trebah Garden
Why This Matters
Britain has a rich history of natural fibres, yet many of these traditions have been forgotten. This exhibition reminds us that the materials we need for a more sustainable future already grow around us. Sometimes even in places we once overlooked. Like the humble nettle.
See you there, with love and blessings,
Jane x
