The Khalili Collection of Swedish Textiles: The Only Extensive Collection of Swedish Flatweaves Outside Scandinavia
March 29, 2024
A Brief Introduction to Joan Miró and his European Tapestries
April 1, 2024Anni Albers, often regarded as the godmother of textile arts, emphasized the enduring significance of threads as early transmitters of meaning, akin to cave paintings. In her influential 1965 work, “On Weaving,” Albers paid homage to her “great teachers”—the weavers of ancient Peru. Tapestry, characterized by intricate pictorial designs achieved through warp-and-weft weaving or embroidery, has retained its basic principles for millennia, even with the advent of power machinery in the late 18th century.
Contemporary artists engaging in the meticulous craft of weaving in the digital age find themselves in a rich dialogue with historical figures like Albers and ancient global traditions. In contemporary times, fiber artists are finding growing audiences and institutions willing to showcase their work. These artists utilize tapestry to delve into political themes, confront the harsh realities of modern conflict, and explore questions of identity and sexuality. The enduring craft of tapestry continues to evolve as a powerful medium for artistic expression and social commentary in the 21st century.
Diedrick Brackens, a Los Angeles-based artist originally from Texas, creates deeply personal textiles that draw inspiration from West African Strip weaving, Flemish tapestry, and early American story quilts. His works serve as a commentary on his identity as a queer, Black American. Weaving allows Brackens to tap into the rich cultural capacity for storytelling and material symbolism. The narratives within his works are threaded with elements from folklore, religion, mythical creatures, cosmology, and his own lived experiences. Brackens employs a diverse range of materials, including commercial dyes, wine, tea, and bleach, to stain textiles such as cotton. This intentional use of materials adds layers of meaning, with cotton, in particular, carrying historical weight as it references the transatlantic slave trade. The artist adeptly weaves together social, political, and personal issues in his creations, presenting a medium that is simultaneously contemporary and traditional.
In an interview, Brackens highlighted the expanding field of makers in textile work, emphasizing its inclusivity for women, queer individuals, and Black and brown communities, who have historically and presently made significant contributions to the medium. Brackens tapestries have garnered attention and accolades, such as the 2018 Joyce Alexander Wein Artist Prize from the Studio Museum in Harlem. His latest works are currently featured in the exhibition “Diedrick Brackens: Darling Divined” at the New Museum’s lobby galleries.
www.diedrickbrackens.com
www.diedrickbrackens.com
www.diedrickbrackens.com
www.diedrickbrackens.com
www.diedrickbrackens.com
www.diedrickbrackens.com
Erin M. Riley, based in Brooklyn, creates tapestries that freeze the speed and mundanity of contemporary female life, offering a timeless and monumental quality to everyday moments. Riley weaves her distinctive tattoos into depictions of mirror selfies, moments of personal grooming, and intimate scenes, including masturbation. Raised in the internet age, Riley’s tapestries serve as a reflection of her experiences as a queer individual who grew up in online chat rooms, exploring themes of sexuality and trauma. Her choice to depict herself in what some might consider vulnerable situations aims to emphasize the physical labor and presence of the body required for such depictions.
Riley acknowledges the contrast between the rapid consumption of digital images and the slow, deliberate nature of tapestry. The process of sitting at the loom, disconnected from the internet but connected to binary and early computer technology, allows her to delve into specific details. Hand-dyeing yarn for each object adds another layer of intentionality, encouraging viewers to pause and engage with content that might otherwise be swiftly scrolled past.
erinmriley.com
erinmriley.com
erinmriley.com
erinmriley.com
