Textile Design Now / Design textile actuel

An exhibition showcasing the work of women textile designers and artists!

«The exhibition will be an opportunity to discover the remarkable work of women designers over the past century, but more specifically, the exceptional contribution of today’s women designers in the field of textile production»
^{Louise Pelletier, exhibition co-curator and professor at UQAM’s École de design}

Textile Design Now presents the work of 23 women designers and artists from around the world (Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Senegal, Singapore, Sweden, Swiss, Taiwan, United States, as well as an artist from the Mohawk nation of Kahnawà:ke). This unique gathering will provide an opportunity to discover several previously unseen pieces.

Cutting-edge works by the artists on show will reveal a wide range of unexpected practices, from weaving and 3D printing to sound and solar textiles, bacterial dyeing as well as the manufacture of replacement organs woven by silkworms. The exhibition space highlights the interweaving of tradition and innovation, experimental practices as well as the emotional potential of soft materials. A historical section and a selection of publications offer keys to understanding the rich origins of textile practices and the complexity of their cultural and societal roles.

«Textile practices fascinate me. They embody craftsmanship and ingenuity. Their socio-cultural, economic and political impact is profound, while their aesthetics and tactility shape our everyday experience of the world. I’m delighted that so many artists and designers can join us for the opening and the symposium Textile Beyond Craft – Le textile au-delà de l’artisanat, to weave a dynamic textile network»
^{Katharina Sand, exhibition co-curator and professor at the AMD Akademie Mode & Design.}

The exhibition is accompanied by the Textile Beyond Crafts symposium on November 30 and December 1^st, 2023.

«Soft materials are part of everyday life in cultures and societies across the globe. They are an inexhaustible source of inspiration and innovation. We are delighted to present this exhibition which celebrates women artists and designers who are passionate about materials. It has been a great intellectual and emotional pleasure to put together this exhibition with Louise Pelletier, Katharina Sand, Christina Contandriopoulos and the staff of the Design Centre.”
^{Fabienne Münch, exhibition co-curator and Chair of the Department of Design at Ohio State University}

Thank you to our exhibition partners and sponsors