A Beautiful Mess: Weavers and Knotters of the Vanguard

HUNTSVILLE – A new exhibit will soon be on display at the Huntsville Museum of Art. A Beautiful Mess: Weavers and Knotters of the Vanguard is a vibrant contemporary textile exhibition organized by the Bedford Gallery at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, CA. This unique exhibit features a diverse selection of fiber arts including wall-hangings, installations, and monumental pieces. It will be on display July 25 – Oct. 16.

Made by an all-female roster of conceptual artists, the exhibition showcases twisted, tied, and braided works made from tactile and utilitarian materials like rope, yarn, clay, and wire. The artists featured are Windy Chien, Kirsten Hassenfield, Dana Hemenway, Kira Dominguez Hultgren, dani lopez, Hannah Perrine Mode, Liz Robb, Meghan Shimek, Lisa Solomon, Katrina Sánchez Standfield, and Jacqueline Surdell. Collectively, they push the boundaries of fiber art and elevate the status of weaving and knotting from craft to fine art. The artists infuse their works with personal stories and socio-political concerns to further revolutionize the previously marginalized genre of fiber arts.

“We are thrilled to have this exhibit travel to Huntsville,” said HMA Executive Director Christopher Madkour. “These pieces are a unique addition to our 2022-2023 exhibition schedule, and we know the public will be eager to experience them in person.”

From micro artworks the size of your hand to mammoth, room-sized installations, the di-verse works included in A Beautiful Mess push the boundaries of their chosen medium. While the means of production vary tremendously for each artist, they find commonality in their pursuit to upend the status quo. By bringing their unique stories to the forefront, these artists draw from potent source material to create sculptures and installations staggering in beauty and conceptual backing. As artist Kira Dominguez Hultgren puts it, “weaving is about strange combinations.” Whether by utilizing non-traditional materials, tapping into personal memories, or untangling complex histories, the artists in A Beautiful Mess strive to revolutionize our conceptions of contemporary fiber art.

The Huntsville Museum of Art is open Tuesday-Sunday. Hours are 12-5 pm on Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, and 10 am – 8 pm on Thursday. More information can be found at hsvmuseum.org

A Beautiful Mess: Weavers & Knotters of the Vanguard was organized by Bedford Gallery at the Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek, CA.