All Saints Church in Kingston is set to host a unique exhibition of embroideries by adults and children living in the UK and across Europe.

More than 260 individuals contributed to the works in the exhibition Blue Cornflowers.

The community of stitchers was brought together through an integration textile programme, 'Flowers We Give To Ukraine', developed by local curator and founder of Ariadne's Thread Group, Magdalena Glowacka, following the invasion of Ukraine.

This exhibition marks four years since the beginning of the first tapestry. Blue Cornflowers (2022) tapestry is a large-scale cross-stitch embroidery reproduction (2m x 3m) of a painting by the celebrated Ukrainian folk artist Maria Prymachenko.

It was initially intended as a participatory needlework activity for local Ukrainian women, including those arriving under the 'Homes for Ukraine' scheme.

However, it quickly became a broader collaboration with many locals joining in and refugees stitching smaller pieces from across Europe. This is still a work in progress.

Half the tapestry is completed with five smaller parts embroidered in Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Sweden, and Norway. The Field of Cornflowers (2026) is an installation of new works by individual participants.

It celebrates Ukrainian women and children who are displaced and now living in the UK. The two bigger cornflowers have been embroidered by local residents and selected students from Cornwallis Academy in Maidstone.

advertisement

A Private View and official exhibition opening will take place on Thursday, 21 May from 11am - 12pm. A participatory needlework session will run on Thursday, 4 June from 11am - 1pm.

Anyone is welcome to join the embroidery table and meet the people involved in the making of the Blue Cornflowers.