textileart

Textile art is a form of art that uses fiber materials and textile techniques to create works that are primarily aesthetic rather than functional. It encompasses a range of practices, including weaving, embroidery, quilting, knitting, crochet, felting, dyeing, printing, and fiber sculpture, as well as the integration of textiles with other media. Textile art can be functional—such as tapestries, garments, or quilts—or nonfunctional, in galleries or public spaces.

Historically, textiles have been central to many cultures, evolving from utilitarian craft to a recognized artistic medium. In the 20th century, artists associated with movements such as Bauhaus and later textile-focused artists expanded textile making from craft into modern art. Today textile art includes wall hangings, installations, sculptural works, and digital- or camera-assisted processes, often addressing social, political, or environmental themes.

Techniques and media used in textile art are diverse, including traditional methods like loom weaving, backstrap weaving, knitting, crochet, embroidery, quilting, and felting, as well as surface design such as dyeing, batik, screen printing, and digital textile printing. Contemporary artists may combine handmade textiles with industrial fabrics, plastics, metal, or video and sound.

Prominent practitioners known for advancing textile art include Anni Albers, Lenore Tawney, Sheila Hicks, and Faith Ringgold, among others. The field spans museums, galleries, and studios, with ongoing dialogues between craft communities and contemporary art institutions, and it continues to explore materiality, memory, identity, and sustainability.