Honorary graduates

2012

Marian Clayden - International textile artist

Honorary Degree of Doctor of Art (Hon DArt) in recognition of her outstanding contribution to international textile art and design.

Marian Clayden
Now based in California, the artist Marian Clayden has travelled the world for 50 years, living and running a studio on at least three continents, gathering ideas about working with fabric and colour from different times and cultures.

She was born in Preston, trained at Nottingham School of Art and was briefly a primary school teacher in Nottingham. In 1962 she emigrated to Australia and began experimenting with dyeing. She co-produced the strikingly colourful costumes for the hippie musical Hair, and later developed her own fashion designs.

Her creations, reflecting a blend of ethnic traditions and a celebration of colour, have made her the queen of “Bohemian chic”. Her work can be seen worn by the likes of Bridget Fonda and Meryl Streep and exhibited in leading galleries and museums.