“The Frayed Stories of Life”
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“The Frayed Stories of Life” Bay Area Exhibition
curated by Rachel Leibman This exhibit features artists who view textile art as a through line that connects past, present, and future. These artists pay homage to the fiber art of our forebears but do not attempt to replicate it. Their artwork is made for and of our times, employing surprising materials such as moth cocoons, electric cables, watch parts, plastic bags and video tape. They use these objects to shape, and even mend, the frayed stories of life. Featured Artists: Suzane Beaubrun, Deborah Corsini, Dale Eastman, Shelley Gardner, Rinat Goren, Uma Rani Iyli, Rachel Leibman, Sasha Silveanu, Leah Virsik, Holly Wong & Termeh Yeghiazarian January 14th - February 18th, 2023 |
Curator’s statement:
I’ve long been enthralled by fiber art – the weavings of indigenous peoples, quilts of Gees Bend, Oriental carpets, and Renaissance tapestries. Textile art speaks to heritage and tradition, frequently made for functional purposes but still with such a strong sense of design and imagination. The makers are stewards, maintaining and memorializing their cultures and customs by recording their stories with thread.
Textile art took on special importance for me during the pandemic. As systems and structures began to unravel, I often found myself standing at the edge of panic. Sewing, dyeing and weaving was my calming meditation. Doing what so many had done before me, through every high and low point in history, grounded me and gave me hope for the continuity of the human race.
The artists in this exhibit harbor a similar urgency, viewing textile art as a through line, connecting past, present, and future. They pay homage to the fiber art of our forebears but do not attempt to replicate it. Their artwork is made for and of our times, employing surprising materials such as moth cocoons, electric cables, watch parts, plastic bags and video tape. They use these objects to shape, and even mend, the frayed stories of life.
I’ve long been enthralled by fiber art – the weavings of indigenous peoples, quilts of Gees Bend, Oriental carpets, and Renaissance tapestries. Textile art speaks to heritage and tradition, frequently made for functional purposes but still with such a strong sense of design and imagination. The makers are stewards, maintaining and memorializing their cultures and customs by recording their stories with thread.
Textile art took on special importance for me during the pandemic. As systems and structures began to unravel, I often found myself standing at the edge of panic. Sewing, dyeing and weaving was my calming meditation. Doing what so many had done before me, through every high and low point in history, grounded me and gave me hope for the continuity of the human race.
The artists in this exhibit harbor a similar urgency, viewing textile art as a through line, connecting past, present, and future. They pay homage to the fiber art of our forebears but do not attempt to replicate it. Their artwork is made for and of our times, employing surprising materials such as moth cocoons, electric cables, watch parts, plastic bags and video tape. They use these objects to shape, and even mend, the frayed stories of life.
