Unravelling Woven Histories: Modern & Contemporary Fiber Art

This lecture explores the evolution of fiber art from its traditional roots to its powerful presence in modern and contemporary practice. Once dismissed as mere craft, fiber art has emerged as a critical medium for innovation, activism, and storytelling. Through key works by artists such as Anni Albers, Faith Ringgold, Sheila Hicks, Jeffrey Gibson, Ruth Asawa, El Anatsui and more, we will examine how weaving, stitching, and textile manipulation have become vehicles for cultural memory, gender discourse, and political expression. The discussion will be framed in dialogue with the current exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, which recontextualizes fiber art within the broader canon of contemporary art. Special attention will be given to how these practices challenge institutional hierarchies and expand the definitions of materiality and authorship. This lecture aims to "unravel" the layered narratives embedded in fiber, revealing how threads of history, identity, and resistance are intricately woven into the fabric of contemporary art.