News | Thursday, 4th November 2021

Joan Charnley Archive comes to Special Collections Museum

Recently acquired archive tells the story of Manchester School of Art alumni Joan Charnley

design for a textile pattern drawn in black paint on a blue background featuring flowers and seed heads
Daisy Wheels 2, design for a dress fabric, 1952

We are delighted to announce the acquisition of the archive of Joan Charnley; botanical artist, textile designer, teacher and alumni of the Manchester School of Art.

Joan Charnley (1928 – 2016) was a student at the School of Art in the late 1940s, studying textile design. After enjoying some success as a commercial textile designer, she went on to have a successful career teaching art in higher education. On retiring from teaching, she established herself as a botanical artist.

When Joan died in 2016, she left her archive and home in Upper Mill, Lancashire, to her neighbours and friends, Julian Bovis and Nigel Durkan. Julian and Nigel established the Weavers Factory in Joan’s former home as a legacy to her life and work.

The archive records Joan’s life and work, including fabric samples, original designs, source material, student work, travel diaries and teaching material.    

Contact us to make an appointment to see the archive.   

More news