A free public exhibition at Guildhall Art Gallery will offer Londoners a rare opportunity to step inside the making of one of the most ambitious embroidery projects of its kind in modern Britain.
The Making of The Circle of Life Artwork will take place in The Old Library at the Guildhall, City of London, on Thursday 9 July 2026, from 10am to 12 noon
Open to the general public, the exhibition will be held ahead of the invitation-only unveiling of The Circle of Life, a major national embroidery artwork created to mark the 400th anniversary of the Worshipful Company of Upholders’ Royal Charter, granted in 1626.
For lovers of arts and crafts, textiles, history, interiors and upholstery, the exhibition offers a unique opportunity to explore the making of The Circle of Life and the heritage behind it. Displays will focus on the history, crafts, trades and activities of the Worshipful Company of Upholders, the role of the participating cathedrals, and the planning and creation of such a significant piece of Opus Anglicanum embroidery.
Visitors will be able to meet and learn more about the makers and organisations involved in the project, with displays from Aidan Hart, designer of The Circle of Life and of the Royal Anointing Screen used at the Coronation of King Charles III, alongside the Royal School of Needlework, Fine Cell Work and the twelve participating English cathedrals.
The exhibition will explore the revival of Opus Anglicanum, meaning “English work”, an historic English embroidery technique associated with silk, gold and silver thread. Once highly prized across medieval Europe, the technique is rarely practised today and sits at the heart of The Circle of Life project.
The project has involved more than 100 stitchers, with contributions from twelve English cathedrals and Fine Cell Work. Together, they have helped create a 2.3 metre circular artwork telling the story of the Upholders, their historic trades and their connection to upholstery, soft furnishings and funeral directing.
Julian Squire, Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Upholders and project lead for The Circle of Life, said: “This exhibition gives the public a rare opportunity to see the story behind The Circle of Life before the finished artwork is formally unveiled. It brings together exceptional craftsmanship, London history, upholstery, embroidery and the dedication of volunteers across the country. We hope anyone with an interest in making, heritage craft or the City’s history will come and discover the people and skills behind this remarkable project.”
Please note that the finished Circle of Life artwork will not be on display at the Guildhall exhibition. The finished artwork will be unveiled later the same day at a separate ceremonial event.
The completed artwork will go on public display after the unveiling at 101 Gallery, The Salvation Army International Headquarters, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 4EH, from Friday 10 July to Friday 24 July 2026, 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Event details
Event: The Making of The Circle of Life Artwork
Date: Thursday 9 July 2026
Time: 10am to 12 noon
Venue: The Old Library, Guildhall, City of London
Ticket cost: Free
Open to: Members of the public
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-making-of-the-circle-of-life-artwork-tickets-1989322136060
