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Tony Phillips (The Manbroiderer)
Art Forms
Textiles & Needlework
Artist information
I’m a textile artist, educator, and unapologetic champion of expressive, process‑driven making. My work sits at the intersection of rebellion and tenderness — stitched surfaces that hold stories, questions, and the messy, beautiful evidence of being human. I’m drawn to embroidery because it slows me down, asks me to pay attention, and lets me build meaning one small gesture at a time.
In my studio, I work instinctively. I layer fabrics, textures, and marks until something clicks — a tension, a rhythm, a spark. I love the physicality of thread: the way a bullion knot can feel like a tiny act of defiance, or how a cluster of French knots can become a landscape of emotion. My pieces often evolve through repetition, improvisation, and the quiet conversations that happen between my hands and the cloth.
Teaching is a huge part of who I am. I believe creativity belongs to everyone, and I design workshops and courses that are welcoming, inclusive, and confidence‑building. Whether I’m working with complete beginners, young designers, or seasoned makers, my aim is always the same: to create a space where people feel safe to experiment, make mistakes, and discover their own voice through textiles.
I’m inspired by the overlooked, the ordinary, and the tactile poetry of everyday life — frayed edges, worn fabrics, wild meadows, punk energy, and the stories people carry with them. My practice is rooted in curiosity and community, and I’m happiest when I’m stitching alongside others, sharing processes, and watching ideas unfold in real time.
At the core of everything I do is a belief that textiles can speak — softly, boldly, or somewhere in between — and that every stitch has the power to hold meaning.
Website and social media
themanbroiderer
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552699787995
https://www.themanbroiderer.com