Fabric of Identity

Fabric of Identity investigates the representation of identities from a number of different perspectives, taking into account historical, political and cultural contexts, as well as the influences of the subjective views of the artists. The curators consider how identities are formed and how they shift over time and through place. Textiles woven into clothing and furnishings as well as fiber/multi-media installations form the visual focus of the exhibition. The Historical Component, Wearing Propaganda. Textiles on the Home Front in Japan, Britain and the United States 1931-1945, focuses on a group of US, British and Japanese textiles representing national values during WWII. This exciting genre of wearable propaganda is notable for its design value but also as a strong reflection of popular culture during the time of war. Several themes are explored: modernity, tradition, empire, militarism, and patriotism. The Contemporary Component focuses on how individuals express their own personal thoughts and embody national values in times of war and peace. Contemporary artists also examine and sift through stereotypes of gender and nationality so to make new identities and to suggest ways to build bridges between cultures.