Thread Lines is an exhibition that showcases the work of contemporary artists who integrate sewing techniques and fibers into a wide range of artistic forms, from drawings and paintings to prints, wall hangings, and sculptures. The exhibition explores the emotional depth capable within a single thread, blending traditional methods with innovative approaches of using thread to examine the symbolic ties that connect individuals and communities.
Featuring artists Sanford Biggers, Claire Campbell Park, Sonya Clark, Liliana Porter, Soledad Salamé, Joyce J. Scott, Elizabeth Talford Scott, Alan Shields, Jo Smail, and Paula Wilson, Thread Lines highlights how each artist challenges the boundaries between fine art and craft. Their work collectively redefines these distinctions, emphasizing the power of thread not just as a medium but as a vehicle for cultural and personal expression.
The exhibition’s contents aim to evoke, question, and preserve both individual and collective memories while addressing urgent social issues. The artists explore a wide array of themes—gender, race, sexuality, class, climate change, beauty, politics, and cultural heritage—all which challenge stereotypes and reflect the fluidity of identity in the contemporary world. By engaging with these complex themes, Thread Lines fosters a dialogue about belonging and inclusivity, using thread as a throughline and a metaphor for connection, transformation, and enlightenment.