Woven Worlds: Fiber as Medium, Thread as Language
@ South Shore Arts
1040 Ridge Rd, Munster, IN 46321
Opening Friday, June 20th, from 6PM - 10PM
On view through Saturday, August 23rd
From the earliest days of human civilization, fiber has been essential to survival—woven from bark strips into baskets, spun from animal fibers into clothing and blankets. These materials and techniques, so deeply embedded in daily life, have also long served as inspiration for artists. Yet, because of their familiarity, fiber arts have often been dismissed by critics as mere craft or hobby rather than a legitimate fine art form.
Following World War II, fiber artists challenged this perception, transforming traditional fiber techniques into nonfunctional, conceptual works of art that aligned with the burgeoning women’s movement.
Pioneering artists such as Anni Albers and Claire Zeisler worked to overturn the notion that fiber was secondary to other artistic media, proving instead that it was a powerful vehicle for artistic expression.
This summer, South Shore Arts proudly presents Woven Worlds: Fiber as Medium, Thread as Language, an exhibition showcasing the diverse and innovative world of contemporary fiber arts. These artists have mastered and subverted everyday materials—wool, silk, thread, and more—using techniques like embroidery, felting, weaving, and knitting to craft deeply personal and culturally resonant works.
Fiber art is a multifaceted tradition that spans centuries and continents, reflecting both personal narratives and broader cultural histories. From the practical to the symbolic, fiber arts serve as a means of healing, identity expression, and societal storytelling. Woven Worlds blurs the line between reality and imagination, inviting viewers into a tapestry of dreams, cultural narratives, and unexpected beauty. Within this space, fibers become conduits for transformation and distortion, evoking both wonder and unease.
Curated by Exhibits Manager Brandon Johnson, Woven Worlds will feature the work of 20 Midwest artists and will be on display from June 20 through August 23, 2025, in the Main Gallery at South Shore Arts. The opening reception will take place on Friday, June 20, from 6–8 PM at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, IN. Join us as we celebrate fiber as a medium of boundless creativity and profound storytelling.
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Tags: Delisha McKinney, Gretchen Janowski, Hattie Lee Mendoza, Indiana, Krystal Lemonias, Laurel Izard, Moises Salazar Tlatelchi, Munster, South Shore Arts, Woven Worlds: Fiber as Medium Thread as Language
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