TEXTILES

The use of textiles in art is something that has always been present, from ancient woven tapestries to the Native American textiles discussed here. However, it has often been relegated to the status of craft instead of fine art.

In recent years, textiles have become a medium for artists seeking to explore the boundaries between art, design, and craft, and, ultimately, provisioning textiles with a new status in art.

One such artist is Sheila Hicks, who was born in Nebraska in 1934.

Hicks studied painting under Josef Albers at Yale, and went on to receive a Fulbright scholarship for painting in Chile.

During her post-graduate work, Hicks became fascinated with Peruvian and Mexican handweaving, and began producing woven works that embodied the composition, color, and texture of painting.

Throughout her career, Hicks has established production facilities in Mexico, Chile, S. Africa, and now considers her work a combination of performance art, sculpture, and painting.

Hicks (pictured above, with her work) combines a multitude of materials for her woven works, including various fabrics, as well as goat hair, alpaca, paper, leather, stainless steel, and found objects.

Hicks' work is now recognized internationally, and is represented in museum collections all over the world.

I based an outfit around this woven vest, which evoked the woven, textural feel of Hicks' work.

I'm wearing a silk DKNY blouse, vintage woven vest thrifted in Virginia, PRPS boyfriend jeans, Cynthia Vincent wedges, necklace from H&M, and a Marc by Marc Jacobs handbag.

[Hicks images from cristinagrajalestinc.com, waggledancing.wordpress.com, artnet.com, allartnews.com, and 123nonstop.com, respectively.]