Weaving is one of the oldest surviving practices in the world and can tell stories of humankind across the globe, from prehistoric times to modern-day. Weaving is commonly used to create clothing, textiles and decoration but did you know it’s also currently creating quite a buzz in the art world? To show the diverse ways weaving is being used as an artform today, Kent State University School of Art professor Janice Lessman-Moss has curated the exhibition “Line by Line” to highlight diverse practices with a range of weavings from six early-career artists working in the field today. The exhibition, presented by Kent State University School of Art Galleries, features artists Erin M. Riley, Samantha Bittman, Crystal Gregory, Diedrick Brackens, Kira Dominguez Hultgren, and collaborators Barrow Parke. The exhibition will be on view at the Center for the Visual Arts (CVA) Gallery from Jan. 25 through March 11, 2022, with an opening reception on Friday, Jan. 28 from 5-7 p.m. Both the exhibition and reception are free and open to the public. A full-color catalog which includes an essay by author and art critic Glenn Adamson will be available for purchase at the gallery.
“All the artists in this exhibition make work that provides a unique perspective on content and a sophisticated fluency with the language of weaving. I am grateful for their willingness to share their weavings with the students at Kent State and the Northeast Ohio community through participation in this exhibition,” said curator Janice Lessman-Moss.
The works presented in this exhibition are tactile constructions that reveal a range of images and abstractions built on a foundation of method and order. In practice, the compositions unfold line by line revealing cells of color and texture that establish a field of shapes and patterns orchestrated through the unique sensibility and skillful touch of each artist. Although varied in form and content this group of works reflects an exciting range of perspectives manifested through the process of weaving.
Two visiting artist talks will take place in relation to this exhibition. Kira Dominguez Hultgren will be giving a talk on her work on Jan. 21 at noon in room 165 at the Center for the Visual Arts and Crystal Gregory will present on March 11, also at noon in the same location. Both are free and open to the public.
The Center for the Visual Arts is located at 325 Terrace Dr. in Kent, Ohio. Gallery Hours: Tues. - Thurs. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday. Face coverings are required inside all buildings at Kent State University.
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Media Contact: Roza Maille, Marketing Associate, School of Art, rmaille1@kent.edu, 330-672-2260
Images: (left to right)Crystal Gregory, “Describing Shape,” handwoven cast in concrete, 50in x 42in, 2021; Barrow Parke, “Reweave 2.3 over wallpaper,” hand dyed linen 59 1/2 x 43 1/2 inches, 2016 (Courtesy of the artists and JDJ, New York); Kira Dominguez Hultgren, “Across: Fleeced,” 2019, 108” x 96” x 5”