Annette Turner

Annette Turner discovered hand-tufted rugs early in her career and was immediately drawn to their visual and tactile qualities—the richness of color, the depth of texture, and their substantial, almost sculptural presence.

She created her first rug over 25 years ago, a piece that has remained part of her everyday environment, moving with her from home to home while retaining its original strength and character. Turner works using a Hoffman hand-tufting gun, which injects threads into a backing fabric stretched on a wooden frame. Her designs are first drawn directly onto this surface, allowing for flexibility in form and composition. The pile height can vary significantly, ranging from 16 mm to 45 mm, depending on the needle used.

Energy, color, and movement are central to her practice. Her work often draws subtle inspiration from organic forms such as seeds, pods, and fruits, which are translated into gestural marks and fluid lines. She begins with rapid sketches, capturing movement and rhythm, before transferring the final composition onto the backing fabric.

Turner works from an extensive palette of materials, combining different types of threads—from thick, textured wools to fine natural silks and isla wool—creating a wide range of lines, surfaces, and tactile effects. Once completed, each rug is stabilized with latex backing and finished with an additional support fabric.

Every piece is individually handmade by the artist, resulting in unique works that combine technical precision with expressive freedom.