Open daily from 5 October Essential Information Location Queen's House Price Free Book free tickets Plan your visit to the Queen's House With its array of colours, striking design and text, it’s hard not to be taken in by this vibrant tapestry. Feeling Blue is a brand-new commission from Royal Museums Greenwich. It was created by multidisciplinary artist Alberta Whittle and Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh. Currently on display in the Queen’s Presence Chamber in the Queen’s House, the tapestry is rooted in maritime traditions. “The title for the tapestry – Feeling Blue – is derived from a nautical saying,” Whittle explains. “When sailors would pass away at sea, the crew would paint a blue band on the hull of the ship or wear some kind of blue.” Head to the Queen’s House to see Feeling Blue for yourself – and read on for the story of the tapestry's making. Visit the Queen's House Tides of history, threads of meaning Weaving together themes including migration, melancholy and mythology, Feeling Blue responds directly to Royal Museums Greenwich’s sites and collections. “I wanted to think about how collections speak to us as audience members, and how artworks talk to each other,” Whittle says. Artist Alberta Whittle photographed during the making of Feeling Blue (photo © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London) The tapestry responds to specific artworks within the Queen’s Presence Chamber – a room where the monarch traditionally would have presented themselves to an audience. Cultured freshwater pearl beads are woven into its design, referencing the jewelled gown depicted in The Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I, and the ‘Drake Jewel’ shown in the portrait of Sir Francis Drake. The tapestry’s blue colour scheme also provides a nod to the interior of the Queen’s House itself. “Blue is a special colour for the Queen’s House,” says Katherine Gazzard, Curator of Art (Post-1800). “You can see it in a lot of the original 17th century decoration, including the ceiling of the King’s Presence Chamber and the balustrade of the Tulip Stairs.” “In the 1670s, the Dutch artist Willem van de Velde the Elder and his son, Willem van de Velde the Younger, had a studio space in the House and were designing tapestries here,” she adds. “As a contemporary tapestry, Feeling Blue is a fantastic response to and continuation of that history that we have in our sites in Greenwich.” Creating the tapestry Featuring more than 150 different colour combinations, and incorporating materials such as rope, Feeling Blue showcases the versatility of tapestry weaving. “The tapestry is woven mostly in cottons and linens,” explains Naomi Robertson, Studio Manager and Master Weaver at Dovecot Studios. “We’ve used a lot of different techniques in this tapestry including knotting, double weave, as well as other interesting materials.” Scotland’s only working tapestry studio, Dovecot collaborate with contemporary artists to translate their artworks into woven tapestries. © Alberta Whittle and Dovecot Studios. Photo: © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London Robertson worked alongside weaver Elaine Wilson for six months to create Feeling Blue. As with many of their projects, the weavers worked closely with Whittle to develop the tapestry. “We do a lot of talking; we like to find out what the artist wants from the work,” Robertson says. “We do a lot of sampling and experimenting to find out the language of the tapestry and to capture the artist’s handwriting within that.” Weavers Naomi Robertson (left) and Elaine Wilson (right) with artist Alberta Whittle (centre) at the 'cutting off' ceremony for Feeling Blue (© Alberta Whittle and Dovecot Studios. Photo: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London) For Whittle, this collaborative approach has been especially rewarding: “Feeling Blue has been shaped by the conversations I’ve had with the team members from Greenwich, and the incredible folk from Dovecot Studios,” she says. “The commission has been a wonderful opportunity to think deeply about maritime histories and consider the powers in place that decide how these histories are portrayed.” Plan your visit Do I need to book? Feeling Blue at the Queen's House is free to visit, but you're welcome to book free entry tickets online in advance. Pick your date and entry time, and you'll receive an email with more information to help you plan your visit. Where is Feeling Blue on display? The tapestry is on display in the Queen's Presence Chamber of the Queen's House, situated next on the first floor. Download a floor plan of the House to help you find your way, or simply ask staff for directions when you arrive. What else can I see at the Queen's House? The Queen's House is home to an internationally renowned art collection, with more than 450 works on display. This includes a select number of contemporary artworks that respond to the historic collection. A major exhibition, The Van De Veldes: Greenwich, Art and the Sea is also open to all visitors to the Queen's House until 14 January 2024. Find more Queen's House highlights Facilities and access Find useful information about facilities at the Queen's House including cloakrooms, baby change and accessibility, and information for visitors with disabilities coming to any of our sites. Find out more House closures Occasionally some room closures may affect your visit to the Queen's House. For full details of affected dates, click here. Tickets and Opening Free entry Advance booking recommended Book online Open daily 10am-5pm Greenwich Station Cutty Sark DLR Maze Hill Station Greenwich Pier View on map Directions via Public Transport Directions from your location Discover more great art Sign up to the art newsletter for more information about Royal Museums Greenwich's art collection, and learn about upcoming exhibitions and events. Sign up Q&A Beneath the blue: Alberta Whittle on the making of Feeling Blue Artist Alberta Whittle shares the inspiration behind Feeling Blue, a tapestry created in collaboration with Dovecot Studios Find out more Gallery highlights Contemporary art in the Queen's House From sculpture to paintings, discover the array of art on display in the Queen’s House Find out more Discover History of the Queen's House The centre of Greenwich for hundreds of years, the beautiful Queen's House has also been at the heart of royal life Find out more Visit the Queen's House Art, architecture and sublime views: discover Greenwich's hidden gem today Find out more Credits Feeling Blue Alberta Whittle Tapestry by Dovecot Studios 2023, cotton, linen, synthetic yarn, cultured freshwater pearl beads Tapestry woven for Dovecot by Naomi Robertson, Master Weaver, and Elaine Wilson Displayed on powder coated steel gates made by Glasgow Sculpture Studios Purchased with assistance from the Contemporary Art Society Image credits: Artwork: © Alberta Whittle and Dovecot Studios. Photos: © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London Royal Museums Greenwich Close Choose your tickets Entry to the Queen's House is free, but you must have a ticket to visit. Book online to guarantee entry. For full tickets and prices click here. Queen's House Internationally renowned art Stunning architecture The Van de Veldes: Greenwich, Art and the Sea Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I Free entry Book online BOOK NOW Become a Member Unlimited entry all year Royal Observatory Cutty Sark Planetarium Shows Special exhibitions Direct Debit One-off Individual: £50 Individual: £60 Family: from £60 Family: from £70 JOIN TODAY Member tickets Free and fast-track Museums entry Priority booking Access using your membership card Membership card number required BOOK NOW