Interwoven: A Group Art Exhibition and Day of Programming

Throughout history, fiber and textile arts have played a significant role in activism. Their strength in storytelling, along with their ancient roots, solidify their place of cultural significance. The Bakery Atlanta's Interwoven, in partnership with artist Cassie Short and Atlanta's Textiles, explored the connection between fiber arts, advocacy, and the art hierarchy.

Interwoven hosted the talents of several artists, including those who provided demonstrations that showcased the beauty and intentionality that goes behind handmade works. Kenny Oaster's protest banner demo featured quilting and applique techniques, which heavily draw back to the tradition of using craft as productive tools of liberation. 
The skills typically viewed as domestic work become an outlet for many, empowering populations through the very activities thought to chain them. This concept was also beautifully illustrated by Johanna Norry's photography weaving demonstration.

The integration of fiber and textile arts with self-exploration and personal identity is heavily reminiscent of the late Faith Ringgold who utilized quilting to tell underrepresented stories.

"The reason why I began making quilts is because I wrote my autobiography in 1980 and couldn't get it published because I wanted to tell my story, and my story didn't appear to be appropriate for African-American women." – Faith Ringgold.

Camisha Butler and Husna Abubakar's artist talk, moderated by cultural worker Roshani Thakore, emphasized the complexities and the importance of showcasing intentionality behind their work. They highlighted the intricate nature between fiber arts, the hierarchy of art, and the effects of colonialism on the industry. Fiber and textile work opposes the typical Europeanized view of art, subverting the definition of what's considered "high art."

The Interwoven gallery exhibition and day of programming was carefully curated by The Bakery team and showcased a brilliant use of textiles. Each artist's work exposed a piece of themselves, reflecting their identities and personal experiences through their chosen medium. Eric Dwyer's piece titled "repeats itself" utilizes modern tools while maintaining the traditional practice of handweaving, ultimately showing a deep respect for the art form.

"I'm working to bridge my reverence for archival work, specifically queer archival work, and the craft of woven textile. Thinking about connection in impermanence between memory and textiles and both the effort to preserve and counter effort to erase. Creating these woven works feels like a quiet resistance against loss." – Eric Dwyer

Many of the works chosen for Interwoven, caused attention to the exploitation and erasure of marginalized groups. Stitch the System's art is heavily intertwined with her Chicano heritage, which commonly goes underrepresented. 

"The same way I can’t be separated from my Chicano roots, my art can’t either. Despite Chicanos being under-represented in activism circles in the South, my work aims to show that we are still here and we are still fighting despite centuries of colonization and forced assimilation". – Stitch the System

The Bakery Atlanta's Interwoven elevated the tradition of fiber arts as a medium that challenges the status quo. You can read through the gallery booklet to discover more featured artists and the intentionality behind their pieces.

Photos here are by Blake Pipes and Madison Nunes.