Meet Mandy Forbes, the Artist behind a girl made of threads
The Gallery
In response to demand from local artists for exhibition space and to promote and celebrate our talented local artists, the London Arts Council and the City of London Culture Services have collaborated with RBC Place London to pilot The Gallery program at RBC Place London as part of our London Arts Live (LAL) program offerings.
The purpose of The Gallery is to promote the work of artists and creators residing in London and surrounding First Nations to display original artworks for exhibition, with sales opportunities, on highly prominent and specially designated wall space within this municipally owned building.
For the tenth exhibition, The Gallery featured artworks created by Mandy Forbes, a textile artist based in London, Ontario, whose work explores storytelling, memory, and the imaginative world of childhood. Working with found embroidery, recycled textiles, found imagery, and other repurposed materials, she creates layered, tactile works that consider the ways personal and collective memories are held within objects, images, and fibers.
Her current body of work expands her ongoing material experimentation to include felting, beadwork, and printed photographs. Her practice is rooted in a fascination with the emotional and historical resonance of textiles, particularly embroidery and the domestic traditions surrounding it.
Since 2019, Forbes has exhibited her work throughout Ontario, and her practice has been featured in magazines. Alongside her studio work, she is passionate about textile history and enjoys sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for embroidery and textile art through workshops and classes.
Forbes’ interest in visual storytelling began with her studies in Film and Television Production at Humber College, where she developed an enduring appreciation for image-making, narrative, and the power of visual details. She also holds a BA in English from York University and an MLIS from Western University. These diverse areas of study continue to inform her approach to art, bringing together stories, research, image, and material.
She currently lives and stitches in London, Ontario.
About Work
In a girl made of threads, textile artist Mandy Forbes invites viewers into a richly textured world made of thread, fibre, and fabric. Through an intricate series of works created over several years, Forbes brings together traditional needlecraft techniques, including embroidery, lace making, felting, and fabric painting, transforming materials often associated with domestic labour into powerful acts of storytelling and reflection.
Delicate stitches, layered textiles, and hand-worked surfaces reward close attention, encouraging viewers to slow down and encounter the works at an intimate pace. As the eye follows each thread, narratives emerge: fragments of childhood, traces of family histories, and impressions of places, objects, and moments.
The exhibition explores the intersections of femininity, domesticity, and remembrance. Rather than presenting these themes as fixed ideas, Forbes approaches them as evolving and interconnected experiences, woven together through the repetitive and meditative processes of making.
Each piece pictured above is in order based on the below chart. For purchase inquiries, please contact the London Arts Council via email info@londonarts.ca
Title | Size | Description | Price |
Petal | 20 in x 20 in | fabric and printed linen | $900 |
Dance Party | 20 in x 20 in | felt and embroidery on cotton | $800 |
Brownie | 12 in x 12 in | embroidery and applique on printed linen | $250 |
July | 4 in x 6 in | embroidery on cotton | $180 |
The Skater | 9 in x 12 in | embroidery and watercolour on linen | $350 |
Glasses | 8 in x 10 in | thread and plastic with glass beads | $450 |
Arizona Motel | 8 in x 10 in | embroidery on cotton | $350 |
tug-o-war | 10 in x 10 in | embroidery and applique on printed linen | $375 |
Blue | 5 in x 7 in | felt and embroidery on printed cotton | $225 |
Margot | 5 in x 7 in | felt and embroidery on printed cotton | $225 |
Kitty | 5 in x 7 in | felt and embroidery on printed cotton | $225 |
Star Dancer | 16 in x 20 in | embroidery, felt and sequins on linen | $600 |
Bunny | 10 in x 10 in | handmade cotton lace | $200 |
The Archer | 10 in x 10 in | embroidery and applique on printed linen | $300 |
An Interview with Mandy Forbes
a girl made of threads by Mandy Forbes
(September - December 2026)
Q: Tell us the story behind your exhibition.
A: This exhibition is really a retrospective of my creative process over the past several years. Although my techniques and materials change, the themes of my work tend to stay consistent. I love creating work that evokes a feeling of uncertainty and nostalgia, and I am often drawn to depicting children and domestic settings.
Q: What inspires you as an artist?
A: Books and films are often where I draw inspiration for my work. I always appreciate a good story and one of things I like about creating art is how it can be a medium for visual storytelling. A trip to an antique store, or flipping through an album of old photos are also surefire ways to spark my creativity.
Q: Describe your creative process.
A: Many of my pieces start with found photographs or a piece of salvaged fabric. A big element of my creative process is experimentation, and I love working with textiles because there are countless new techniques to learn or materials to explore.
Q: Why does creativity matter to you?
A: Creativity matters because I believe it is a way to connect on a human level with other people.
Q: What gaps currently exist when it comes to supporting the Arts? What kind of support is needed?
A: London Arts Council does such a great job at supporting artists and obviously more funding would be ideal. In terms of supporting artists, I would encourage everyone who has the means to do so to buy local art whenever possible. It can make such a huge difference to an artist when you support their work.
Q: What do you envision for the Arts in London?
A: We have such a fantastic art community here in London! I would also love to see an outdoor art festival in London that would draw art lovers from the surrounding area. I would also love to see an artist hub with studios that are open to the public.
Q: Where else can we find your artwork?
A: The best place to find my work and get in touch is through my Instagram @littleshout. I am also reachable through email at mandyfc@hotmail.com.
Contact:
Email: mandyfc@hotmail.com
Instagram: @littleshout
View a girl made of threads at RBC Place London on the following dates: October
October 1 – 8am-3pm
October 3 – 8am-8pm
October 5 – 2pm-10pm
October 6 – 8am-5pm
October 7 – 8am-2pm
October 8 – 11am-2pm
October 14 – 1pm-9pm
October 15 – 9am-3pm
October 17 – 6pm-11pm
October 22 – 8am-8pm
October 26 – 11am-10pm
October 29 – 1pm-8pm
October 30 – 8am-8pm
October 31 – 9am-1pm
November
November 2 – 5:30pm-9pm
November 5 – 9:30am-9pm
November 6 – 10am-10pm
November 7 – 10am-8pm
November 8 – 10am-5pm
November 10 – 4pm-9pm
November 12 – 11am-10pm
November 13 – 9am-4pm
November 17 – 8am-4pm
November 18 – 8am-4pm
November 19 – 8am-4pm
November 20 – 8am-4pm
November 26 – 9am-9pm
November 27 – 4:30pm-8:30pm
November 28 – 5pm-10pm
December
December 3 – 11am-2pm
December 5 – 6pm-10pm
December 10 – 11am-2pm
December 11 – 6pm-10pm
December 12 – 6pm-10pm
more dates will be added as available
**enter via the main doors on York St.**
The objectives of the Gallery program are: to create a beautiful, unique, and cultured atmosphere; provide compelling experiences for local, national, and international visitors; educate the public by presenting a series of diverse artworks created by local professional artists; and provide professional opportunities for local artists, including increased promotion, sales, and career enhancement.
For more information about this project or inquiries regarding purchasing artworks, please contact the London Arts Council at info@londonarts.ca
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