Meghan Shimek, Expand with me, 2021, wool, copper, 64 x 226 x 7 in.
The Huntsville Museum of Art will present a vibrant textile exhibition organized by the Bedford Gallery at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, CA. The exhibition features a diverse selection of fiber arts such as wall hangings, installations, and monumental pieces.
Made by an all-woman roster of conceptual artists, the exhibition showcases twisted, tied, and braided works made from tactile and utilitarian materials like rope, yarn, clay, and wire. Whether by utilizing non-traditional materials, tapping into personal memories, or untangling complex histories, these artists strive to revolutionize our conceptions of contemporary fiber art. As exhibition artist Kira Dominguez Hultgren puts it, “weaving is about strange combinations.”
The artists in A Beautiful Mess revolutionize the previously marginalized genre of fiber arts, infusing their works with personal stories and socio-political concerns. They elevate the status of weaving and knotting from craft to fine art. While the means of production vary tremendously, the artists find commonality in their pursuit to upend the status quo. By bringing their unique stories to the forefront, they create sculptures and installations that are staggering in both beauty and conceptual backing.
A Beautiful Mess: Weavers and Knotters of the Vanguard opens at the Huntsville Museum of Art on July 24, 2o22, and closes on October 9, 2022. The exhibition will be on display in the Huth, Salmon, and Boeing galleries of the Museum and will be included with the general price of admission. Admission can be purchased at the front desk in the lobby of the Museum or online here.