Cloth and Culture Now

Cloth & Culture NOW

A new project led by Lesley Millar, who, with the University College for the Creative Arts, also organised the textile projects ‘Textural Space’, ‘Through the Surface’ and ’21:21 – the textile vision of Reiko Sudo and NUNO’.

These projects have concentrated on textile practice in the UK and Japan. Cloth & Culture NOW has extended the research to include Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, alongside Japan and the UK and culminates in a major publication and the exhibition now open at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts. more>

Cloth & Culture NOW highlights exciting and innovative contemporary textile practice from areas where there has been a strong tradition of textile linked to specific cultural identity. The work of these contemporary practitioners reflects that cultural specificity while also responding to cross-cultural and trans-national influences.

35 artists, from the 6 countries, have taken part in the project, contributing personal statements to the website about the role of textile within their lives.

A major book documenting their practice plus in depth interviews with each of the participants and essays contributed by textile experts from each of the countries is now available from the University College for the Creative Arts, and from January 29th also from the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts.

The exhibition Cloth & Culture NOW opened at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, University of East Anglia, on January 29th and will run until June 1st 2008 before touring to the Whitworth Art Gallery, University of Manchester in the Autumn of 2008, followed by venues in participating countries in 2009.

See more at ITV Local:
http://www.itvlocal.com/anglia/whatson/?player=ANG_whatson_26&void=145319

A comprehensive education programme is in place at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, including an international conference on January 26th 2008.

Latest News: Conference at RIBA 7th May 2008 - for further information click here