Ben Copperwheat
Fibers professor
Education
- M.A., printed textiles, Royal College of Art
- B.A. (Hons), art and textile design studies, Bath School of Art and Design, Bath Spa University
Credentials
Academic
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Professor of fibers, 2019–present, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA
- Teaches FIBR 160 Drawing for Surface Pattern, FIBR 190 Color Lab: Textile Trends and Techniques, FIBR 276 Digital Textile Design, and FIBR 312 Screen Printing. Serves as departmental competitions coordinator. Brings professional industry practice into the classroom through ongoing client work, exhibition, and an active screen-printing studio.
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Adjunct instructor, 2016–18, New York University, New York
- Created course, developed syllabus, and taught NYU SPS High School Academy: Fashion Design in New York City / The Fashion Designer as an Artist.
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Adjunct instructor, 2015–18, Academy of Art University San Francisco, San Francisco
- Created course, developed syllabus, and taught online class Textile Printing for Product.
- Visiting lecturer, 2002–09, Royal College of Art, M.A. printed textiles, London
- Senior lecturer, 2001–03, Northumbria University at Newcastle, B.A. (Hons) fashion and textiles, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
Professional
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Principal, 2012–present, Ben Copperwheat Studio, New York
- Multidisciplinary textile studio producing printed textile and graphic design, wearable art, interior surface pattern, and fine art installations. Clients have included Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, DKNY, Gucci, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Edun, Peter Som, Victorinox Swiss Army, Stephen Burrows, and Marina Moscone. High-profile commissions include work for Beyoncé and Blue Ivy Carter, Boy George, Liza Minnelli, Pat Cleveland, and Isabella Blow.
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Textile design director, 2013–17, Donna Karan International/DKNY, New York
- Printed textile design, direction, and color concept for DKNY and Donna Karan Collection.
- Senior printed textile designer, 2003–08, Calvin Klein Jeans, New York
Awards, recognitions, and honors
- Sabbatical research award, Surface & Soul: From AIR 3331 to Awagami, Savannah College of Art and Design, 2025
Publications and presentations
Selected exhibitions
- Gallery 2424, "Pause," fibers faculty group show, SCAD, 2025
- SCAD Atlanta Digital Exhibition, Atlanta, GA, 2024
- The Superfair, Savannah, GA, 2023 and 2024
- Sound+Light, group show, River Oaks District, Houston, TX, 2020
- Nine Lives, group show, Parlor Gallery, Asbury Park, NJ, 2018
- IN:SPIRE, group show inspired by Leigh Bowery, Leslie Lohman Museum, New York, NY, 2018
- Patricia Field Art/Fashion: Art Basel, White Dot Gallery, Miami, FL, 2017 and 2016
- Patricia Field Art Fashion, exhibition and runway, Joe's Garage, Catskill, NY, 2017
- Susanne Bartsch: Arte Porter, collection presentation, Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa, FL, 2017
- London Queer Fashion Show, collection presentation, Hackney Showroom, London, UK, 2017
- "Icons," solo exhibition, Schimanski, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY, 2017
- Fashion Underground: The World of Susanne Bartsch, garments in exhibition, Museum at FIT, New York, NY, 2015
- Patricia Field Art/Fashion: Berlin Alternative Fashion Week, runway show, Berlin, Germany, 2016
- Patricia Field Art/Fashion, Howl Happening Gallery, New York, NY, 2016
- Powered2, group show, MX Gallery, New York, NY, 2016
- #Interface: Queer Artists Forming Communities Through Social Media, Leslie Lohman Museum, New York, NY, 2015
- Powered, group show, La Sala, Cantina Royal, New York, NY, 2015
- COPPERWHEAT, five collections, New York Fashion Week, 2009–2011
- "Ausgang!" group show, Studio Voltaire, London, UK, 2002
Grants and special projects
- Sabbatical research residency, AIR 3331, Tokyo, Japan, 2025
- Mural installation, SCAD River, Savannah, GA, 2023
- Guest artist, SCAD Sand Arts Festival, Savannah, GA, 2022
- Advertising campaign, LGBT+ Month, SCHUH, 2021
- "Constellation," commissioned mural, Luisa Via Roma, Florence, Italy, 2017
- LGBT Pride float, Gerald J. Friedman Transgender Health and Wellness Center, New York Pride, March 2017