Review: "Unravel: The Power and Politics of Textiles in Art"
Location: Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, September 14, 2024 – January 5, 2025
At the Unravel: The Power and Politics of Textiles in Art exhibition, the Stedelijk Museum pays a powerful tribute to textiles as an artistic medium. This groundbreaking exhibition brings together over one hundred works by 45 artists, ranging from icons like Louise Bourgeois and Tracey Emin to emerging voices in contemporary art. In Unravel, visitors experience the versatility and depth of textile art, from large-scale, colorful installations to intimate pieces exploring themes like love, resilience, power, and resistance.
Stories in Fabric and Thread
Unravel makes it clear that textiles are much more than decoration or functional material: they’re a powerful medium that artists worldwide use to tell personal and societal stories. The exhibition is organized around six themes, each highlighting how textiles can address identity, boundaries, and trauma. The theme Subversive Stitch, for instance, explores how textiles were long considered "women's work" and are now used as a form of resistance, while Wound and Repair presents textiles as a healing medium. The thematic organization not only provides context but also offers visitors a chance to experience the diversity of textiles in new ways.
A Visual Spectacle and Intense Experience
What makes the exhibition exceptional is the richness of forms, colors, and techniques on display. Some works, such as the imposing sculptures by Sheila Hicks and Magdalena Abakanowicz, use ancient techniques that honor heritage and craftsmanship. Others, like the pieces by Tracey Emin and Faith Ringgold, explore current issues such as racism, sexuality, and political boundaries. The result is a dynamic collection where textiles literally and figuratively hang in the air, exploring weight and lightness, and stimulating the senses.
Cecilia Vicuña, Quipu Austral, 2012. Collection 49 Nord 6 Est - Frac Lorraine. In Unravel – The Power and Politics of Textiles in Art, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, 2024. Photo- Peter Tijhuis
The Power of Textiles as an Art Form
Unravel is one of those exhibitions that truly makes visitors rethink what art can be and how materials like fabric and thread can add unexpected layers of meaning. The pieces in this show transcend traditional boundaries of textile art, illustrating how contemporary artists are reinventing the medium. By weaving stories of resilience, love, and struggle into their work, the artists offer the audience a deeper, more tactile experience of social and political themes.
Conclusion
With Unravel, the Stedelijk takes a bold step in reappraising textile art, placing the medium center stage. This exhibition is a must-see for anyone looking to be inspired by innovative, profound artworks that push boundaries. The versatility of the works, combined with their compelling themes, make Unravel an unforgettable experience that speaks to both the eye and the heart.
Rating: ★★★★★
Header image: Sarah Zapata, To Teach or To Assume Authority, 2018-2019. Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. Acquired with the generous support of the participants of the VriendenLoterij and Young Stedelijk, 2021. In Unravel – The Power and Politics of Textiles in Art, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, 2024. Photo: Peter Tijhuis
