Alice Liptrot: Contemporary Textile Art and Sustainable Punch Needle Design

Alice Liptrot is a multi-disciplinary textile artist based on the Kent coast in the United Kingdom. Specialising in punch needle embroidery, she creates intricate works that explore the intersections of space, texture, and form. Her practice is deeply rooted in the preservation of traditional handmade crafts, which she reinterprets through a contemporary aesthetic to establish textiles as a legitimate medium for fine art. Born in Cheshire and educated in Knitwear Design, Alice Liptrot spent a decade co-founding a knitwear brand, a journey that involved successful collaborations within the luxury fashion sector. This background in structured textiles informs her current artistic approach, where she translates three-dimensional shapes into flat, textured patterns. A key element of her work is her commitment to sustainability; she sources raw, un-dyed wool from a sheep farm on the Kent marshes. This material choice results in a natural color palette that highlights the inherent depth and surface quality of British wool. Beyond her studio practice, Alice Liptrot is an active educator, hosting punch needle workshops across the South East of England, including sessions at the Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft. Her work has been featured in galleries such as the Gray Area Gallery, where she showcases pieces like the Vessels Mini series and large-scale installations. By focusing on responsibly sourced materials and the humble beauty of yarn, Alice Liptrot continues to push the boundaries of textile art.