Through sculptural installations, intricate tapestries and groundbreaking techniques, the exhibition challenges traditional perceptions of textile art, celebrating its versatility and emotive power.
Miami, Jan. 21, 2025 – Miami Dade College (MDC)’s West Campus Gallery will host “Threads of Transformation: Contemporary Textile Art,” an exhibit presented by Contemporary Art Projects USA that will explore identity, sustainability and cultural narratives through textile artistry featuring the work of five internationally acclaimed contemporary artists. The exhibition runs Jan. 28 – April 4 and is free and open to the public. There is an opening reception on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 11 a.m.
Visitors will have the opportunity to engage with textiles and view live demonstrations of innovative techniques, gain insights at workshops and talks where artists discuss their creative processes, the narratives behind their works and how they incorporate sustainable practices and materials into their art, offering a vision of a more conscious art world.
Featured artists include:
• Carola Orieta Sperman (Argentina)
A fashion designer turned textile artist, Sperman explores the tactile and emotional language of textiles. By combining heated acrylic with fibers, she creates a striking interplay of rigid and flexible materials, challenging the boundaries between sculpture and fabric. Her works evoke deep emotional responses while reflecting on the broader cultural significance of textiles in contemporary art.
• Katerine Sztein (Argentina)
An architect by training, Sztein uses needle and thread to transform spaces into universal codices of connection and unity. Her works stitch together the intangible, symbolizing repair and cohesion. Each piece invites viewers to engage with a mysterious, yet universally resonant, visual language.
• Pepa Martin and Karen Davis (Australia)
Inspired by the ancient Japanese craft of shibori, this dynamic duo infuses tradition with modern experimentation. Their heat-set sculptural silk works, characterized by fluid movement and dimensional depth, redefine the possibilities of fabric as a medium. Leaders in the Australian textile movement, Martin and Davis have also published two influential books and conducted workshops to keep the art of shibori alive and evolving.
• Evangeline Ang (Singapore)
In this artwork, Ang aimed to challenge the conventional boundaries of textile art, demonstrating that acrylic paint can transcend its traditional applications to create a compelling narrative through color and form. This piece stands as a testament to innovation in artistic expression, celebrating the freedom to redefine materials and methods while remaining rooted in the rich tradition of textile artistry.
• Cuchi Tanborda (Venezuela/USA)
With roots in Venezuela and a flourishing career in the United States, Tanborda blends textiles and metals to create works that transcend cultural boundaries. Her practice, shaped by her upbringing and her participation in events such as ART Miami, reflects a profound connection between materials and emotions. Her pieces invite dialogue and exploration, bridging craftsmanship and contemporary art.
• Marianella Blasini (Venezuela)
Blasini’s artwork reflects her passion for art and its historical context, particularly in relation to Velázquez’s “Meninas.” Currently, she embraces modern techniques by creating her artwork digitally and printing it on acrylic or metal. To enhance her pieces, she incorporates wood covered in threads, transforming her creations into unique textile art that bridges the gap between traditional and contemporary forms.
WHAT: “Threads of Transformation: Contemporary Textile Art” at MDC West Campus
WHEN: Jan. 28 – April 4, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Opening Reception: Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 11 a.m.
WHERE: MDC West Campus Gallery
3800 NW 115th Ave, Room 1105
About Cultural Affairs at MDC
In addition to serving as the education and workforce engine in South Florida, MDC offers a robust cultural programming year-round, contributing to the community’s artistic and economic growth for over six decades. Signature programs and venues include the Miami Book Fair, Miami Film Festival, Museum of Art and Design, Live Arts Miami, Koubek Center and art galleries located at each of its eight campuses.
For more information about the exhibition, please contact Tata Fernandez, Director of Contemporary Art Projects USA, 786-262-5886, info@contemporaryartprojectsusa.com.