[1][2][3] She received media attention in 2021 when the Royal Academy announced it would be removing her work following complaints of alleged transphobia, then days later apologised and retracted.
[9] In her art she explores subjects such as the environment, contemporary feminism, female liberation,[10] misogyny, gender inequalities and fetishism and employs creative textile recycling as part of her practice.
[12][13] The New Statesman called her a 'picture-perfect bohemian artist for our times',[14] and the Artichoke Trust said she is 'a bona fide lynch pin of the British textile art scene'.
[12][13] This has included embroidery workshops at the Soho Theatre, Laura Lea Design in London[21] as well as in Australia where she toured with her Big Swinging Ovaries project.
[6] On the topic of women's genitalia, de Wahls says: "I think it is very helpful to have this conversation, making people comfortable with saying vagina, vulva, clitoris and all that kind of stuff.
[15] Her work remains on display in the 'Women Making History' exhibition as the Trust says the banners project is "notable for its diversity and inclusivity".
[27][28] The Academy’s secretary and chief executive, Axel Rüger, later apologised to de Wahls, and the decision to remove the work from sale was described as a failure of communication.