At this moment in time, I think thread is the most versatile medium in art.
BAM. I said it.
Throughout history the use of thread, sewing, fabric etc remained womanly business that beyond practical utility, could, at its best, be seen as craft. With some luck excellent craftsmanship (“man”, eye-roll).
Definitely not art, let alone fine art.
As time evolved, thread has luckily found its way into contemporary art. Unlike any other medium, it has the capacity to loosen itself from a discipline to become a drawing, painting, sculpture, installation,… seemingly without limits.
Contemporary painters, for example, can still surprise me by their amazing skills and thematic choices, such as Diane Marie Uwase whom I recently discovered, but I find the vast diversity of uses fiber artists come up with flabbergasting. These artists use thread, fabrics or fiber in ways that honour heritage and challenge the newest techniques. From the intimacy of the tiniest embroidery stitch to the vastness of large scale draped installations, the novelty, inventiveness or approach moves me over and over again.
Note to all: emotions are what being in contact with art is all about.
While writing this article, I was reminded that my own practice when studying at the Ecole de Recherche Graphique in Brussels was based on thread. More specifically un-threading. Departing from doilies that my grandmother had embroidered, I undid the stitching and thus created ghost patterns. This idea of shaping with holes became my thing.
Seems like I’ve always been fascinated by needle art.
Where to go to get your own dose of “moved by fibre art”:
- I loved the show “UNRAVEL: the power and politics of textiles in art” at Barbican in London showing 50 international artists who challenge the classification of textiles as being considered crafty and feminine. What struck me particularly, is how very international this exhibition was. Nothing I’ve seen around in Belgium. This confrontation of how long the road ahead is, also made me sad. Anyway, the show in London ended but will be on view at Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam as from September 14. Highly recommend.
- Closer to home and on until July 6: “Pick Your Way” at the Lee-Bauwens Gallery showing an interestingly large diversity of the use of thread through the practice of 14 artists. My favourites in this exhibit: Helena Hafeman, Gisoo Kim, Hélène de Gottal and Cécile Davidovici.
- Of course: don’t miss Anni Albers’ weavings on view at the Villa Empain until September 8th. Anni is amongst the pioneers when it comes to elevating traditional craft into art.
- And keep an eye out for these Belgium based textile artists I have encountered over the years: Celina Vleugels, Lisa Uchechi Ijeoma and Jelle Annie Michiels.
(100% humanly written)