TEXT-TEXTURE-TEXTILES: John Buchan and 25 Years of EDGE Textile Art

To mark the 150th anniversary of John Buchan’s birth, Live Borders have invited EDGE textile artists Scotland to create work inspired by his novels, his life and his love of nature. Our artists have worked on those themes and have created work including text, typewriters, walking boots, landscapes, book forms and a swarm of midgies but not the biting sort! We have collaborated with The John Buchan Museum to bring you these artworks which will be on display in the first floor gallery along with many artefacts from the museum itself.

Upstairs in the larger gallery, our members have responded to the exhibition celebrating the 25th anniversary of EDGE textile artists Scotland. Our more longstanding members (of ten to twenty-five years) have submitted their favourite older work along with their newer work to show the passage of time. Whilst our newer members have embraced the Open theme by submitting their best current work to express themselves.



EDGE textile artists Scotland are an active group connected by a love of textile art and its continuous development.

In 1988 the three leading textile art groups in Scotland shared a platform to exhibit work in a highly successful exhibition entitled ‘Three Strands’. After the exhibition this arrangement was formalised and EDGE textile artists Scotland was born. Their first exhibition in 2000, named ‘To Boldly Sew’ was first held in Dundee at the McManus Gallery, where they hosted a conference and featured two highly regarded European artists, It was very well received.

The original members were art college graduates or those who had completed City & Guilds Creative Studies (at Part 2 level) and had studied in Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow (hence the name EDGE) but membership is now from a broader background although every member has followed either formal education or completed some courses in textiles and/or related art disciplines.

The core aim of the group is to promote excellence in all aspects of contemporary textiles and through their exhibitions they aim to reach a wide audience. The strength of the work created lies in the approach to ideas, design, diversity of subject and technical expertise.

Membership to Edge is by selection and is open annually. More information can be found on their website: https://edge-textileartists-scotland.com