Take Henry Moore's "Family Group," realized in several sculptures as well as a textile square. |
Matisse (1869-1954) grew up in the textile town of Bohain-en-Vermandois. At the age of 21 he fled the grim industrial area of northeastern France for Paris to become a painter. He never left behind a deep imprint of textiles--their textures and designs--for he hailed from generations of handloom weavers. Even as a penniless art student, he bought scraps of tapestry from junk stalls. By the end of his life, his studio in the south of France had become a treasure-trove of carpets, curtains, embroideries, wall-hangings, cushions, costumes, patterned screens, and backcloths from around the world. They constituted his "working library," the source that influenced his compositions. Apparently, he was never without his textiles, taking along "my noble rags," as he called them, during his travels. His affection for and attachment to them is evident in his work. If only he were here to convince the art world of their worth, not just that of paintings.
If you create with fiber/textile, what kind of response to your work have you encountered in the world of fine arts? What obstacles do you confront, if any, vis a vis entering your work in art galleries and similar venues?
If you're drawn to fiber/textile art, what is it about this medium that attracts you? Who are your favorite artists working in it? What pieces do you especially love?