Anna Tuhus

(Norway/UK)

I write and embroider about things that have happened. One difference between art and design, is that design provides answers, art asks questions.
People have said to me that I am very good at making people feel things. I do not talk about what the motifs in my work are or what my poems are about, and like that people can make their own interpretation of what they see in my work.

The tactile qualities of textile art is very important to me. Embroidery is not a meditative, mindful or instinctive process to me; It is an experience holding presence. 

One cannot touch the horizon; That is the whole point.

 

My expertise is in narrative and textile art. My practice primarily focuses on poetry, and embroidery as a means of narrative expression through composition, form, and colour. Naturally and acid dyed silk fabric form the foundation for intuitive, freestyle embroidery. With an emphasis on tactile qualities and viewer interpretation, my craft explores poetic and symbolic possibilities in textiles.

Exhibitions

  • FUTURELOVERS 2020. Charlottenberg Public Library. 2020, Charlottenberg, Sweden.
    Group Exhibitions Collective Voices. JustArt Collective at White Space Gallery. Edinburgh, UK. 2026.
  • Down To Earth. Week45Collective at Gallery 54. London, UK. 2026.
  • Swim In Cold Seas. Ejecta Projects. Carlisle, PA, USA. 2026.
  • Fabrics. Shamineh Gallery. London, UK. 2025.
  • The Marine Frontier: Sensorial Landscapes. The Expanded Museum & Royal College of Art. 2021.
    BEEP BEEP – The End of The End of The World; RCAIED Degree Show. Menier Gallery, UK. 2021.
    Futurefest Late: The Future of Storytelling. Nesta Innovation Foundation at Barbican Conservatory. London, UK. 2019.
  • Getting Started Showcase. Goldsmiths Centre. London, UK. 2018.
  • Sieraden. Museum Het Valkhof. 2017. Nijmegen, Netherlands, 2017.
  • Suite voor de laatste mijn. CC Muze Cultural Centre. Heusden-Solder, Belgium. 2017.
  • Creative Unions. Lethaby Gallery. London, UK. 2017.
  • Marzee International Graduate Show. Marzee Gallery. Nijmegen, Netherlands. 2017.
  • LuForm. Ludwig Forum für Internationale Kunst. Aachen, Germany. 2017.
  • Chaumet World Event: Opening for Imperial Splendours. Exhibiting design proposal for Maison Chaumet and BAJD CSM: Tiara for the 21st Century. Beijing, China. 2017.
  • Off The Shelf. Vitsoe Gallery, Schmuck Munich Jewellery Week. Munich, Germany. 2017.
  • Silver Schools. Legnica Jewellery Festival. Legnica, Poland. 2017.
  • Shelf Life. Vitsoe Gallery, Schmuck Munich Jewellery Week. Munich, Germany. 2016.
  • Unpinned. Foundling Museum. London, UK. 2016. Awards & Recognitions
    Getting Started. Academy. The Goldsmith Centre. United Kingdom. 2018.
  • Crossborder Design Contest. Winning design: Tiles for Limburg. Connect Limburg, Leolux, Mosa Tiles and Zuyd Maastricht Academy. Maastricht. Netherlands. 2017.
  • The Swarovski Design Project: Vanishing Worlds. Shortlisted: Time Flies. The Swarovski Foundation and BAJD Central Saint Martins, University of Arts London. London. United Kingdom. 2017.
  • Chaumet Tiara for the 21st Century. Runner up: Floralia. Maison Chaumet and BA & MA Jewellery Design programmes, Central Saint Martins, University of Arts London. United Kingdom. 2016.
    Tandläkare Elma Levins Memorial Fund: Scholarship, awarded to ”a young woman with potential to reach a leading position within her chosen craft”. Stockholms Hantverksförening, The Swedish Craft and Small Business Assosiation. Sweden. 2016.
  • Fabrikör J.L. Eklunds Memorial Fund: Scholarship. Stockholms Hantverksförening, The Swedish Craft and Small Business Assosiation. Sweden. 2016.
  • Juvelerare Otto Säfström Memorial Fund: Scholarship. Juvelerare Otto Säfström Memorial Fund. Sweden. 2016.
  • BAJD Leather Design Award. Runner up: One who wraps herself. Leathersellers Company Charitable Fund and BAJD Central Saint Martins, University of Arts London. United Kingdom. 2016.

Education

  • Royal College of Art: Master Information Experience Design: Experimental Design, London, United Kingdom. 2018 – 2021.
  • Central Saint Martins, University of Arts London: BA Jewellery Design (First Class Honours), London, United Kingdom. 2014-2017.
  • Östra Grevie Folk College: Textile Art and Design (Technical Diploma), Malmö, Sweden. 2012–2014.
  • Halmstad University: Art Theory – Introduction to 19th Century Art, Halmstad, Sweden. 2011-2012.
  • Malmö Tillskärarakademi: Pattern Construction for Womenswear (Technical Diploma), Malmö, Sweden. 2010–2011.
  • Linköping University: Handicraft and Design Programme, Producing and Using Exhibition. Linköping, Sweden. 2009–2010.
  • Dackeskolan: Programme for Goldsmithing Techniques, (Extended programme, Distinction), Mjölby, Sweden. 2006–2009.

Educator employment summary

  • Community Tutor. High Trees College. January 2026 – Current. London, United Kingdom. Teaching Assistant; Nursery, Reception, Primary and Secondary Education. Opogo Education.
  • December 2026 – Current, London, United Kingdom.
    Supply Teacher; Public Nursery, Primary and Secondary Education. Bemanningscentralen
  • Bildning, Eda Council. January – August 2025, Charlottenberg, Sweden.
    Learning and Engagement Officer. Leighton House, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. July
  • 2023 – August 2024, London, United Kingdom.
  • Community Tutor. Westminster Adult Education Services. October 2022 – August 2024, London, United Kingdom.
  • Heritage Coordinator. Grand Junction, Paddington Development Trust. September 2022 – August 2024, London, United Kingdom.
  • Programme Lead – Creative and Community Learning. (Community Tutor, Sewing and Jewellery Making) Hounslow Adult and Community Education, London Borough of Hounslow. September
  • 2020 – August 2022, (October 2018 – August 2020), London, United Kingdom. Creative Lead
  • Fashion Colloquia 2020 Jaipur. Arch College of Design & Business. June – September 2019, Jaipur, India.
  • Lecturer BA (Hons) Fashion Design. Limkokwing University, London Campus. April 2019, Malaysia; London Campus, United Kingdom.
  • Lecturer BA (Hons) Jewellery Design. Arch College of Design & Business. September – November 2017, Jaipur, India. Certifications
  • Teaching and Training, Level 5 Diploma, Gateway Qualifications, London, UK. 2023.