Embroidery and Textiles: A Novel Perspective on Women Artists’ Art Practice

Sunanda Rani¹ , Prof. Dong Jining², Dhaneshwar Shah³

¹PhD Scholar, School of Art & Design, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China. Email: sunandaartist@yahoo.co.in

²Professor, School of Art & Design, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China. Email: 1662917685@qq.com

³PhD Scholar, School of Art & Design, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China. Email: dhaneshwar005@yahoo.co.in

Volume 13, Number 4, 2021 I Full-Text PDF

DOI: 10.21659/rupkatha.v13n4.37

Abstract

The manuscript focuses on the autobiographical artistic practice of women artists and feminist expression in visual art, particularly those women artists who use embroidery and textiles as mediums, techniques, processes, styles, subjects, and themes. Women artists often use a variety of unique materials and techniques to create artwork which are primarily related to them and show a feminist identity. The research explores the mediums, tools and techniques applied by women artists in their artworks and the reasons behind choosing that particular medium and methods. In addition, women artists when, where, and how these diverse creation strategies have been adopted and developed over time are examined and analysed with the help of earlier literature, articles, research papers, art exhibitions, and artworks created by women artists. This manuscript discusses the chronological development of embroidery and textiles in the context of women’s art practice, the efforts and achievements of the “Feminist Art Movement” and the cause and concept of “Entangled: Threads & Making”, a contemporary woman artist art exhibition at Turner. Embroidery and textiles are associated with women’s art practice; women artists used embroidery, needlework, and textiles as a powerful symbolic medium of expression and resistance against the male-dominated art society. They began to use feminist expressions, forms, and materials to present their new characteristics. Women artists use embroidery, textiles and needlework as feminist traditional materials and techniques, and continue to struggle to blend them with other new contemporary mediums.

 Keywords: Art, Feminism, Women, Gender, Embroidery, Textiles, Autobiographical Practice