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Phoenix Contemporary Textile Group is a group of lively, like-minded textile artists who produce a wide range of hangings, panels and 3D pieces. They combine a variety of mixed media, not necessarily textiles, but paper, felt, wire, dye and paint, often incorporating natural and found objects in their work. Each Artist works within their chosen medium, producing both small and large pieces of work.

The initial design process often starts by drawing, photographing or using computer graphics. The finished work may be purely decorative, express feelings, convey a message or ask questions, often drawing on the past, present or looking into the future.

The group was formed in 1992 and meets once a month to pursue their own work and at the same time to offer encouragement, help and advice, to each other. Members come from differing backgrounds, some still working whilst others have the freedom of retirement. All share their love of textiles and their aim is to highlight, educate and promote interest in the often misunderstood world of contemporary embroidery.

Each artist’s goal is to explore their own creativeness, to be challenged and push the boundaries of what is perceived. In today’s world of mass production it is important that artists are given the opportunity and freedom to explore and express their own highly individual ideas in a creative way. ‘Embroidery’ today has moved on into the world of creativity and experimentation.

As well as having their own major exhibitions, Phoenix is also one of four separate groups of textile artists that came together in 2002 to form an exhibiting group under the banner of ‘4 by 4’. To date, three very successful exhibitions have been held, notably at the Mall and Menier Galleries in London.