BETWEEN STITCHES

Somewhere between stitches we can find the traces of time, unraveling the threads that connect textile to our bodies and the scarred landscapes, that industrialization and global transportation of material leaves behind. An emotional response to the deconstruction of industrialization 9mass produced textiles, the force of living matter in constant flux and tension within our current age.

 

 

This exhibition questions the fragile and often tactile relationship between our bodies, textile, and the spaces that they move through. The trajectories of fabric and material, from considering the ecological footprint and our close relationship with textile, for garments, comfort, protection.

 

 

Reflecting on the intimate connection between the history of place, the environment, and people. Within the city of Lodz, with its rich textile history, confronts us with the visible memories and traces of industrializations, political and material connection. What are the markings that this environment has left, and the ongoing tension between decay, and rebirth within this city scape?

 

 

Within this exhibition Students explored visual expressions through focusing on dimensional textural artworks. As a starting point considering that we are creating mostly waste textiles materials, discarded fragments, ecological concerns, the impact of the fast fashion industry and labor practices. The general concept of Vessels, as objects made for human interaction and handling, both containing and bounded by space, vessels can take many forms and be constructed of a wide variety of materials. However, they are all unified in signifying a potential for practical functioning, whether a particular object is in fact used in this way in its context. Exploring what is contained and uncountable question the self and looking deeper into the layers of our fragility in the ecological disaster that people have created.

 

The exhibition features fourteen dimensional artworks, sculptural, suspended or wall hung, seeking emotional reflection on the relationship between our body and textile industry, considering how the past is imprinted in the present, and unravels the future. Glimmers of hope interlaced with raw reality.

The exhibition features artworks created by seven textile fine arts masterclass students of the Strzeminski Academy of Fine Arts in Lodz, Poland - Ewa Dmowska , Gabriela Krok , Grzegorz Picz, Inka Fischer, Karolina Chyc, Weronika Cudna and Jagna Pastusiak. Under the direction of Textile and Visual Artist Tina Marais.

 

 

Tina Marais

b.1977, Cape-Town, South Africa. Lives in Montreal, Quebec. Exhibits nationally and internationally in solo and group exhibitions. In 2020 she was invited artist, BIEN biennale, Slovenia. Amongst others received a mention of honor at the WTA biennale, Uruguay, 2018, the Dora and Avi Morrow Fellowship for Excellent Achievement in Visual Arts, Concordia University, 2019 and the Joyce Melville Memorial Scholarship, 2021.

Recipient of grants and awards, from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Conseil des Arts et Lettres du Québec. Education: Fine arts, Open Window Art Institute, South-Africa. Master’s degree of Fine Arts, Concordia University, Montreal.