In Episode 7 of ART ISLAND Season 2, filmmaker Zsofin Sheehy sits down with Ann Newdigate, a trailblazing, multifaceted artist who built a career on feminism, craft, humour, and staying true to her goals. Ann shares her journey from South Africa to Canada, putting her own artistic ambitions before societal expectations, and pursuing art on her own terms. Renowned for her contemporary approach to tapestry weaving, Ann discusses how her practice starts from drawing where she works to clear her mind and follow the process. She reflects on aging as an artist, adapting to changes in physical ability, and continuing to make work regardless of age. Her story is a reminder that creativity doesn’t have an expiration date and that continuing a creative practice in any form can bring inner peace and satisfaction.

[About Ann Newdigate]
Ann Newdigate (1934–2023) was an internationally acclaimed artist, educator, and writer known for her pioneering contributions to contemporary textile art. Born in Grahamstown, South Africa, she earned degrees in African Studies and English Literature (University of Cape Town, 1964), as well as a BFA (1976) and MFA (1988) from the University of Saskatchewan. A postgraduate year at Edinburgh College of Art (1980–81) deepened her expertise in tapestry, a medium she elevated into a recognized form of expressive contemporary art. Newdigate’s practice explored codes of value and authority through manual, textile, and digital processes. Her work, including her signature medievalstyle tapestry alphabet and digital outputs, have been exhibited in venues across Canada, the USA, Europe, and Australia. She represented Canada at the 1994 Lodz Tapestry Biennial in Poland, and her works are held in collections such as the Canada Council Art Bank and the Saskatchewan Arts Board. Ann and her family began visiting Hornby Island in the 1970's, and moved to the island fulltime in 1999.

[Art Island: Perspectives from a Creative Community]
Who are the individuals that comprise the vibrant artistic community of Hornby Island? This 10episode docuseries looks into the personal lives and artistic perspectives of local artists — our community members. Expanding on how they became artists, what inspires their art, challenges they've encountered, and how they persevered, Art Island is a deep dive into why artists feel art is important and how it has the power to affect us all.

[Credits]
A Film By Zsofin Sheehy
Associate Producer Emma Walter
Camera Assistant Ella McMechan
Location Sound Emma Walter
Sound Mix & Design Matt Copeland
Title Animation Grigorii Kniagnitskii
Colour Bogdan Mykytenko


Music:
Maciej Sadowski
Native Culture
Brad Hill


Photos courtesy of:
Ann Newdigate
The Mills Family
Don Hall
Mackenzie Art Gallery
Mann Art Gallery
Picryl

[Ann Newdigate with members of the P.A. Spinners & Weavers Guild and the SIAST Weaving Program
"Another Year, Another Party" 199496, tapestry, wool, 114 x 162 cm
Permanent Collection of the Mann Art Gallery]

ART ISLAND was created on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation, the traditional keepers of this land.



Funding for this episode of ART ISLAND is provided by the Canada Council for the Arts, BC Arts Council, and the Province of British Columbia.