Jacob Monk is a hand-weaver and textile artist, having trained at Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design. He now works from his studio in South East London.
Influenced by the ancient technique of ikat - the process of creating a pattern by binding and dyeing the warp yarns before weaving.
Jacob uses a range of rich and vibrant colours in different proportions, often inspired by nature, such as tropical plants and exotic birds. He combines ikat with other dip dyeing techniques to produce something truly original. Creating the design this way shows a sense of sporadic movement as colours change, giving the finished piece a hand-painted look.
Celebrating the history and craftsmanship that goes into making an ikat fabric whilst also breaking away from tradition to give a fresh and contemporary look. The finished product is framed for display in domestic and public spaces.
“I love to see textiles used in such a playful and painterly way. Jacob Monk has a real eye for colour and materials!” - Camille Walala, Multi-disciplinary designer
“What he does is so well thought-out, creative, original, and very commercial. He has a real link with a fibre like wool which is not so easy to create, and his work is truly exciting.” - Aline Galimberti, Chief Designer at Dormeuil
Education
Royal College of Art, MA Textiles
Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design, BA (Hons) Textile Design
Exhibitions
2024
Autonomous, Adorn The Common, London
2023
ING Discerning Eye Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London
Future Icons Selects, London Craft Week, Oxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse, London
Art in Mind, The Brick Lane Gallery, London
2022
Art Encounters at the Library, Crofton Park Community Library, London
Presence and Absence, Crafts Study Centre, Farnham
We Are Commoners, A Craftspace national touring exhibition, UK
Spring Art Show, Benk&Bo, London
Clerkenwell Design Week, House of Detention, London
London Craft Week, Toast - Carnaby, London
Next of Europe, Homo Faber, Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Venice
2021
The Knitting & Stitching Show, Alexandra Palace, London
Wells Art Contemporary, Wells Cathedral, Wells, Somerset
The Festival of Quilts, The NEC, Birmingham
2019
Design Fresh, 100% Design, Olympia London, London
New Designers One-Year-In, Business Design Centre, London
2018
not just a shop, High Holborn, London
London Design Fair, Truman Brewery, London
Innovation Platform, MoOD, Tour & Taxis, Brussels
2017
Launch Pad, MoOD, Tour & Taxis, Brussels
2016
Intertextile, National Exhibition and Convention Centre, Shanghai
Premiére Vision, Parc des Expositions, Paris
Texprint, Chelsea College of Arts, London
Graduate Show, Central Saint Martins, London
Awards
Top 25 Rising Stars, House & Garden- Nominated 2023
Theo Moorman Trust for Weavers’ Award 2022
Recommended by Homo Faber Guide, Michelangelo Foundation 2022
The Crafts Person, Homes & Gardens Design Awards - Shortlisted 2020
Vlieseline Fine Art Textiles Award - Shortlisted 2020
Cockpit Arts Clothworkers’ Company Award 2019
Blue Drop Award Best Launchpad Nominee 2017
The Woolmark Company Texprint Award 2016
Texprint 2016
Publications
The Textile Eye, Winter 2023
The Journal for Weavers, Spinners and Dyers Autumn 2023
House and Garden June 2023
Cover Issue 68 Autumn 2022
Livingetc September 2022
Independent July 2022
Elle Decoration May 2022
House and Garden April 2022
House and Garden August 2021
Period Living February 2021
Embroidery January 2021
Livingetc December 2020
Homes and Gardens November 2020
Livingetc October 2020
The Festival of Quilts Magazine 2020
Crafts Magazine September 2020
Homes and Gardens July 2020
Homes and Gardens March 2020
Evening Standard Homes and Property November 2019
Evening Standard Homes and Property June 2019