Julie Taylor – violinist

I am a professional violinist and teacher as well as a textile designer, tapestry artist.I studied music and fine art (not at the same time!) and my main form of artistic expression is woven tapestry. I work mainly to commission and exhibit nationally and internationally and have twice been selected for the Kate Derum Award Australia as well as exhibiting at the Tate Modern London and the British Textile Biennial Lancashire. I am a selected artist for the Michelangelo Foundation Homo Faber Guide and I have taught masterclasses at many leading British museums and galleries. My work usually contains vibrant colour palettes and ideas around memory and sense of place and synesthesia relating to my experience as a musician. My work also celebrates the joy to be had in the process of ‘making’.
I am the founder of the ‘Makeweaves’ Community Tapestry Group Cambridge.

What has creating art meant to you over the last year?

For me art is an integral part of my musical journey, the two things are interlinked and inseparable. However, unable to play music with others in 2020 I focused on my art practice as a way of dealing with the helplessness as global events unfolded.
The commitment, act and routine of making gave me a structure helping get me through some distressing family events.
I shared my craft expertise devising and delivering craft packs to local families supporting, in my own small way, those with young children during the lockdowns.