About

I am a textile artist based in East Lothian, Scotland, a county of farmland, woodlands, moors and coastal landscapes. I draw inspiration from my memories and experiences, and the colours, textures and patterns found in nature.

Creating art using thread brings an important tactile element into my art practice. My stitches draw attention to the complex visual layers within landscapes, as well as giving a sense of our layered emotional connections to remembered places.

Hand stitch is a slow and considered process, which creates space to think about the impacts of nature on our mental health and the effects of humanity on the environment. Being in nature generates a feeling of calmness, but biodiversity is dwindling and the land is suffering from erosion and nutrient depletion. I aim to bring attention to the beauty of nature and the need for a responsible environmental stewardship. 

I am a member of EDGE Textile Artists Scotland, a group promoting excellence in all aspects of contemporary textiles, which holds regular exhibitions throughout Scotland. I’m also a member of the Society for Embroidered Work, a worldwide group set up to promote contemporary textile art and its perception as a fine art form.

I hold a BSc degree in Botany with Microbiology and a PhD in Plant Science, and have worked in various writing and editing roles over the last 30 years. I joined the writing team at TextileArtist in 2018, and my role expanded in 2020 to work as the Learning & Workshop Development Lead for their Stitch Club workshops. I enjoy blending my passions for both writing and textile art through this work.

Instagram: @heidiingramtextileart

Exhibitions

  • The Teacup, a miniature work of 10cm x 10cm (4″ x 4″) with appliqué, mono printing and hand stitch, was selected for Beneath the Veil at The House of Smalls, Edinburgh, 2025.
  • The Clints of Dromore, a hand stitched mixed media landscape inspired the book The 39 Steps, was selected for the EDGE Textile Artists Scotland exhibition, Text – Texture – Textiles, Peebles, 2025.
  • Woman of Words was selected for Contexture at The House of Smalls, Edinburgh, 2025, an artist’s book with mono printed fabric and stitch, and a handmade concertina book where viewers could contribute their own words relating to womanhood.
  • Take Time To Play was selected for Childhood, Interrupted at the House of Smalls Edinburgh, 2025.
  • Reflections on Change, featuring original writing, appliqué and hand stitch, was selected for The Time of Her Life IV, an exhibition exploring peri/menopause at The House of Smalls, Edinburgh, 2024.
  • A selection of works were exhibited as an invited artist for the Perceiving Nature exhibition at Norman Rea Gallery, University of York, 2024.
  • Undersea was selected for the juried exhibition Surface and Depth (Society for Embroidered Work) at Palazzo Velli Expo, Rome, 2021
  • Two artworks, Purple Landscape and Autumn Landscape were selected for the juried exhibition Contemporary Stitched Art – Society for Embroidered Work, at Clerkenwell Gallery, London, 2019
  • Two artworks were selected as finalist entries for the National Needlecraft Awards 2019; Purple Landscape (for Best miniature category) and West Mains Barley (for Best original embroidery design category), exhibited at the Spring Knitting and Stitching Show, Kensington Olympia, London, 2019
  • A selection of works were exhibited at the 3 Harbours Arts Festival @ Haddstock, 2018
  • A selection of works were exhibited at the St Abb’s Annual Art exhibition, 2018