Previously unseen tapestry cartoon by Eileen Mayo to go on display

The artwork will be the centrepiece of the first-ever UK solo exhibition in Eastbourne by the late painter, illustrator and tapestry designer Eileen Mayo DBE after being found by her great-niece, Dr Lucie Stanford.

The drawing was found via an internet search, who then purchased it at auction.

The work has been realised in collaboration with The Tapestry Studio at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation in Chichester, one of the only professional studios in the UK - and is the only tapestry by Eileen to be created posthumously.

The recently found tapestry by Eileen Mayo with head of collections and exhibitions at Towner Eastbourne Sarah Cooper and Philip Sanderson from West Dean College of Arts and Conservation

The drawing found was for a work named Duck Pond from 1949, and will span to almost the size of a double bed quilt.

Despite her exceptional skills, Eileen remains relatively unknown in the UK, with her work more widely celebrated and exhibited in New Zealand, where she relocated in 1962 after a decade in Australia.

Her long career was characterised by her crossover between fine and applied arts and associations, and also time as an artist's model.

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Eileen used a wide range of media for her work, including illustration, books, prints, paintings, tapestries, murals, posters, stamps and coins, as well as her own writing - which will be showcased in the exhibition.

The tapestry will be on display at Towner Eastbourne from February 12 to July 3, before it travels to be part of a private collection.

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