Robyn Nichol

posted by Robyn Pitts November 19, 2020

Robyn Nichol is a textile and embroidery artist based in West-Yorkshire, UK. Her practice comprises of satin stitch hand embroidery pieces made using calico and DMC Stranded Cotton, digitally printed cotton drill wall hangings which she hems by hand, and merchandise such as screen printed t-shirts and machine embroidered patches that she sells on her online shop. Her work is inspired by Yorkshire’s historical textile industry, which she explores in a contemporary context, focusing particularly on Northern identity.After studying a Foundation Diploma in Art & Design at Leeds Arts University in 2013, Robyn went on to study BA Fine Art at Lancaster University, graduating in 2017. In September 2019 she went half self-employed, alongside working as a part-time gallery invigilator, having previously worked in both retail and a call centre to support her practice.

Robyn sources inspiration material for work by looking at the everyday objects and brands that surround her; from the food she eats, to looking at family album photos, having conversations with her mates, walking around Keighley and Bradford, and more recently reading historical books about Yorkshire’s textile industry. “I have a list that I constantly add ideas to, and select work to make depending on what my materials budget is like at the time” describes the artist. She continues; “For example, it costs me around a tenner to make a piece of embroidery, whereas a wall hanging or machine knitted piece would cost me £60-£80“.

For her embroidery pieces Robyn traces the initial image off her laptop screen, and for her wall hangings she digitalises drawings in Photoshop and then layers these over a background of a photo she’s taken. For example, the background of one of her most recent works was of some Yorkshire puddings that she’d made. “I try to fit in as much time as possible to make work, so I’ll often do some embroidery on my breaks at work or when I’m on the train there to try to stay on top of deadlines” says Robyn. Typically, she used to make most of her embroidery pieces with cheap thread from Keighley Market, but more recently, as she’s tried to refine her skills, Robyn has invested more into materials, which has hugely aided her practice.

“Now that I’ve refined my embroidery skills to the standard that I want them, I’m aiming to start applying this to larger scale pieces and to also begin embellishing wall hangings” explains Robyn. At the moment, she is also experimenting with banner making with her boyfriend; “It’s more about the skill development for us, rather than making perfect final pieces“. These experiments will then inform an ongoing collaborative body of work that they are making for an exhibition. Robyn is also hoping to expand the designs and stock that she has on her online store to include enamel badges, tote bags and limited run Risograph embroidery prints, ensuring that this side of her practice is more accessible. She’ll continue to work on embroidery kits and skill sharing reels on Instagram, spreading her love for embroidery with her followers.