The Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA) is launching a new world-exclusive exhibition “Radical Textiles,” set to open on November 23rd 2024. Showcasing a broad array of textile arts, from tapestry and embroidery to quilting and tailoring, the exhibit examines their role in documenting and driving social and political shifts. The display includes works from over 150 artists, designers, and activists, using textiles as a medium of resistance, revival, remembrance, and reconciliation spanning the last 150 years.
Curators Rebecca Evans and Leigh Robb articulated the core theme of the exhibition. They noted, “‘Radical Textiles’ challenges viewers to consider the radical nature of textiles in societal discourse. This includes historical acts like wearing unconventional attire in parliament or using textile crafts to campaign for pivotal rights and recognition.”
The exhibit leverages AGSA’s diverse collections, including international, Australian, and First Nations textiles and fashion items. Integrated into this are soft sculptures, photography, and video elements that illustrate the communicative power of textiles. AGSA’s Acting Director Emma Fey said, “Radical Textiles amalgamates over 150 items from varied sources, emphasising experimental transformations by contemporary artists.”
The exhibition starts with the pioneering work of British artist William Morris. Morris opposed the Industrial Revolution’s mass production methods by crafting tapestries on manual looms with hand-dyed threads. This historical juxtaposition serves as a precursor to the modern ‘slow making’ movement in textile art, which is well represented in the exhibition.
“Radical Textiles” also diverges into how artists utilise materials and techniques to encapsulate feminist, queer, and racial narratives. This is vividly depicted through artefacts ranging from suffragette banners to drag queen fashion shows. The display also includes quilts made as memorials during the AIDS crisis and a collaborative quilt by Australian artist Nell, which pays tribute to significant women in homage to their creativity and labour.
The Honourable Andrea Michaels MP, Minister for Arts, shared her insights on the cultural and communicative impact of the exhibition. She commented, “Radical Textiles offers a unique lens through which we see the extensive influence of textiles in articulating and shaping societal conversations across eras.”
The exhibition not only draws from AGSA’s rich repository of textile works but also includes contributions from private collectors and public institutions. Highlighted are pieces from international designers like Viktor&Rolf, Iris van Herpen, and Issey Miyake, as well as Australian designers such as Linda Jackson and Romance Was Born, along with local South Australian designer Paolo Sebastian.
“Radical Textiles” at AGSA promises a deep-dive into the intersection of textile art and social commentary, presenting a compelling exploration for all visitors, whether they are fashion aficionados or dedicated crafters.
Radical Textiles is on display at the Art Gallery of South Australia from 23 November 2024 – 30 March
2025 and is presented as part of the Adelaide Festival 2025 program.
Tickets are now on sale at agsa.sa.gov.au.
See the full list of artists in Radical Textiles at agsa.sa.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/radical-textiles/
More News
