Textiles x Art

A compelling showcase of the dynamic intersection of textiles and contemporary art.

Why are so many contemporary artists turning to thread, fabric and fibre to make their most powerful work?

Textile art has surged into the spotlight, shedding its long-standing association with domesticity and craft to take centre stage in galleries, biennales and critical discourse. Ramona Barry and Beck Jobson explore this vibrant resurgence, and the way artists across the globe are embracing traditional techniques like weaving, embroidery, quilting and dyeing, while pushing them into bold new territory. Far from decorative or nostalgic, these works speak to urgent contemporary themes: identity, gender, migration and environment.

Textiles have become a site of resistance, storytelling and innovation. This global survey of forty-four artists reveals the shifting boundaries between craft and fine art, and the expressive power of cloth in the hands of today's most boundary-pushing creatives. Textile art isn't just having a moment: it's reshaping the conversation.

About the Author

Ramona Barry is a writer and curator specialising in craft and design, based in Naarm/Melbourne. Ramona has written catalogue essays and articles, curated exhibitions, and taught over 200 craft workshops focused on textile techniques. Ramona has designed public programmes and large-scale craft events. Her current practice focuses on artist residencies and community-based projects alongside her own fine art and creative writing. Beck Jobson is a textile artist, writer and curator based in Naarm/Melbourne. Specialising in woven textiles, Beck develops creative projects, residencies and collaborative partnerships for artists. Her most recent works critique labour, utility and aesthetic value systems using slow handcraft techniques and salvaged materials. Beck is currently Head of Studio at the Australian Tapestry Workshop.