Fiber Art is Now
Work by the phenomenal Portuguese artist Vanessa Barragao. “Untitled” 2025.
tapestry, crochet, latch hook and felting techniques. 115 × 85 cm.
Nowadays, fiber arts seem to be more popular than ever. Perhaps it offers the antidote needed to counterbalance our screen dominated lives. From the early 1960s to the late 1970s, a noteworthy period in art history known as the fiber art movement unfolded. During this time, primarily female artists from Europe and the United States began to explore the use of thread and fabric, often creating three-dimensional works that extended beyond conventional wall displays. As a result, fiber art continues to evolve, reinforcing its place as a vital and dynamic component of the contemporary art landscape. However unassuming qualities have historically caused the art world to overlook and undervalue fiber artists. This attitude has often been shaped by an art community that has traditionally celebrated the achievements of male artists over those of women. Thankfully women artists persisted. The resurgence of fiber art in the 1960s was closely linked to the countercultural movement, aimed to challenge these prevailing notions. In 2025 we face a new era of ripe with similar challenges. Artists like Madalena Abakanowicz, 1930-2017, Lenore Tawney, 1907-2007 and Sheila Hicks 1934, (age 90) are just some of the renowned fiber and textile artists who have deftly changed the landscape. Each used organic materials to draw inspiration from nature, architecture and global fiber techniques to create dynamic sculptures. Kristine Stattin is a fiber artist based in France, her working process is mindfully intuitive. With very few stitching techniques, she builds her expressive and colourful abstract embroidered paintings in layers, stitch by stitch. Sienna Martz is a sculptor and fiber artist known for her innovative approach to material manipulation and sustainable practices. She has established a strong reputation for her compelling sculptures and installations that often explore nature's adaptability and are made with plant fibers, recycled, and upcycled materials to ensure her art has a minimal impact on our magnificent planet.
