"Beyond the Surface" is an exhibition which considers the subliminal meaning behind every-day soft materials. With textiles’ proximity and necessity in daily life, relationships to this material provide key insights about humanity. How we treat textiles is indicative of the way we treat other humans, even ourselves. What do these relationships reveal? What truths are textiles masking underneath? Does the everyday exchange with textiles reflect the depth of connection between human beings?
This exhibition displays a community-made installation surrounded by a collection of works by Emma Balder. The installation, suspended from the gallery’s center, resembles a tent-like structure which viewers may walk through. Its inner layer holds meaningful textiles, donated and sewn into the work by local Houstonians. A book contains portraits of each participant, alongside stories about their personal textile chosen for the installation. Neighboring gallery walls hold sculptural paintings and fiber paintings made by the artist over her 8 years working in these processes. Created using textile waste from artists and designers from around the world, these supporting works forge new tales for material which was once left idle and forgotten.
Allowing abstraction to be a voice for textured stories, the project examines what lies "Beyond the Surface" of everyday textiles. The exhibition aims for connections between stories to emerge, transforming relationship with material, self, and others. Demonstrating intention and care for the textiles in our lives, "Beyond the Surface" seeks to uncover a deeper appreciation for the threads which connect us all.
Following the opening reception, the exhibit will be on display until July 2.
"Beyond the Surface" is an exhibition which considers the subliminal meaning behind every-day soft materials. With textiles’ proximity and necessity in daily life, relationships to this material provide key insights about humanity. How we treat textiles is indicative of the way we treat other humans, even ourselves. What do these relationships reveal? What truths are textiles masking underneath? Does the everyday exchange with textiles reflect the depth of connection between human beings?
This exhibition displays a community-made installation surrounded by a collection of works by Emma Balder. The installation, suspended from the gallery’s center, resembles a tent-like structure which viewers may walk through. Its inner layer holds meaningful textiles, donated and sewn into the work by local Houstonians. A book contains portraits of each participant, alongside stories about their personal textile chosen for the installation. Neighboring gallery walls hold sculptural paintings and fiber paintings made by the artist over her 8 years working in these processes. Created using textile waste from artists and designers from around the world, these supporting works forge new tales for material which was once left idle and forgotten.
Allowing abstraction to be a voice for textured stories, the project examines what lies "Beyond the Surface" of everyday textiles. The exhibition aims for connections between stories to emerge, transforming relationship with material, self, and others. Demonstrating intention and care for the textiles in our lives, "Beyond the Surface" seeks to uncover a deeper appreciation for the threads which connect us all.
Following the opening reception, the exhibit will be on display until July 2.
"Beyond the Surface" is an exhibition which considers the subliminal meaning behind every-day soft materials. With textiles’ proximity and necessity in daily life, relationships to this material provide key insights about humanity. How we treat textiles is indicative of the way we treat other humans, even ourselves. What do these relationships reveal? What truths are textiles masking underneath? Does the everyday exchange with textiles reflect the depth of connection between human beings?
This exhibition displays a community-made installation surrounded by a collection of works by Emma Balder. The installation, suspended from the gallery’s center, resembles a tent-like structure which viewers may walk through. Its inner layer holds meaningful textiles, donated and sewn into the work by local Houstonians. A book contains portraits of each participant, alongside stories about their personal textile chosen for the installation. Neighboring gallery walls hold sculptural paintings and fiber paintings made by the artist over her 8 years working in these processes. Created using textile waste from artists and designers from around the world, these supporting works forge new tales for material which was once left idle and forgotten.
Allowing abstraction to be a voice for textured stories, the project examines what lies "Beyond the Surface" of everyday textiles. The exhibition aims for connections between stories to emerge, transforming relationship with material, self, and others. Demonstrating intention and care for the textiles in our lives, "Beyond the Surface" seeks to uncover a deeper appreciation for the threads which connect us all.
Following the opening reception, the exhibit will be on display until July 2.