Textile Art

More Designers are Using Rug Art or Vintage Textiles on Walls and Redefining Textile Art

What is textile art / fiber art?

Textile art, also known as fiber art, refers to a form of artistic expression that incorporates textiles and fibers as the primary medium. It encompasses a wide range of creative practices and techniques that involve manipulating and transforming fibers, fabrics, and other textile materials to create visual or tactile works of art.

Textile Artist Gunta Stölzl

Textile art has a long history, dating back to ancient civilizations where textiles were woven, dyed, embroidered, and embellished for both functional and decorative purposes. In the context of contemporary art, textile art emerged as a recognized medium in the 20th century and has since gained significant recognition and appreciation.

Contemporary Textile Artist Sarah Zapata

Artists working in textile art employ various techniques and processes to create their works. These can include weaving, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, felting, quilting, lace-making, fabric dyeing, fabric manipulation, and many others. They often combine traditional textile techniques with experimental approaches, incorporating mixed media elements, found objects, and unconventional materials into their pieces.

Textile Art by Corneille, Dali, Paul Klee And Picasso

Textile art can take various forms, such as two-dimensional wall hangings, tapestries, textile sculptures, wearable art, installations, mixed media collages, and interactive textile-based artworks. The subject matter explored in textile art is diverse, ranging from personal narratives, social and political commentary, cultural and historical references, to explorations of texture, color, and form.

Vanessa Barragao Coral Garden Textile Art

One of the distinct qualities of textile art is its tactile nature. Textiles invite touch, and artists often consider the sensory experience and the relationship between the materiality of the fibers and the viewer’s interaction with the artwork.

Textile Artist – Anni Albers

Contemporary textile artists have expanded the boundaries of the medium, blurring the lines between fine art and craft. They explore innovative techniques, incorporate new technologies, experiment with unconventional materials, and push the conceptual and aesthetic possibilities of textile art.

Bauhaus Weaving and The Women Of Bauhaus Textile Workshops

Textile art/fiber art is now recognized as a significant and dynamic field within the broader contemporary art landscape. It continues to evolve, embracing diverse perspectives, cultural influences, and interdisciplinary approaches, while honoring the rich history and traditions of textile craftsmanship.

Incorporating textile and fiber art in your home decor

What makes textile art such a sought-after form of decoration is its complex texturing. When you consider that every stitch and knot was planned and executed by an expert artisan, you come to appreciate the elegance and refinement afforded by each unique piece. Listed below are fascinating textile art articles available to you from us at Nazmiyal Antique Rugs in New York City.

Textile art and antique rugs are part of an artistic weaving tradition that spans the globe. Over thousands of years, textiles completed an incredible evolution from a humble handcraft to a high art with extreme aesthetic and cultural value. Artistic textile weaving is a diverse tradition that accommodates all of the cultures that embrace the craft. Textiles are pure cultural artifacts that reflect local superstitions and often have artistic immunity from outside influences.

In its most rudimentary form, textile weaving was a way to produce clothing and practical cloths for daily use. As technology advanced, textiles became more and more artistic. Embroidered embellishments and complex woven decorations helped these cultural textiles become a great art form. The function of these artistic textiles is not purely decorative, however. Some shamanic cloths from Laos were used in rituals while Kente cloth garments were made for prestigious members of the community.

Vintage textile wall art from Europe often feature refined decorations and elaborate compositions that are purely decorative. Chinese rank badges, on the other hand, use flamboyant symbols that were part of a complex status system. Even the small country of Uzbekistan has a unique textile tradition in the decorative Suzani embroideries, which certainly qualify as works of art.

These beautiful textiles are highly complex assemblages that require many labor-intensive processes. Phenomenal Ikat fabrics and the flamboyant fabrics used in Chyrpi coats require dyed threads to be arranged in elaborate patterns before the weaving begins. African Kente cloths are woven in narrow pieces that are stitched together, and this time-consuming technique produces a distinctive checkerboard effect.

Textiles have alluring decorative features that are supported by layers of symbolism. These works of art don’t only have fabulous colors and exceptional decorations. They also have a particular texture and visual style that can enrich any interior.

These outstanding textiles are multi-dimensional works of art that are made to be appreciated. Vintage textiles from around the world still represent the foundation of ancient traditions that these handicrafts were built upon.

Textile Arts and The Birth of Decor

Textiles are highly decorative, universal pieces of art made across the world, throughout every culture. While some textile art is solely meant for display, others are functional, created in the form of saddle covers, bags, and jackets. Textile arts are directly associated with the history of international trade as well, due to its portability.

Tapestry art has flourished over the decades, and even centuries. While the earlier pieces are now ancient antiques, there are vintage textiles as well. Throughout history, the textile arts have been used to commemorate important events, individuals, and places of significance. As a result, these exquisite and rare pieces of art have become prized collectors items.

Since the birth of civilization, textile arts have been a fundamental part of culture and how we express ourselves. So without further ado, let us share just a few of our favorite textile pieces from the Nazmiyal Collection…

Moving Rugs from Underfoot to Eye-Level Textile Art

When you find the rug of your dreams, it can be a nightmare to even think about putting furniture on it. Countless carpets are covered up by long sofas and bedroom sets, leaving their captivating beauty a secret.

But, rugs don’t have to stay on the floor. More and more designers are moving these woven masterpieces from underfoot to eye-level, and redefining the realm of wall art. “I love rugs on the wall,” an interior designer told me recently at an industry event. “If you have something that beautiful, you should show it off!”

The designer was commenting on the hanging of a bold shag Moroccan rug on the wall of a luxury apartment entry. The unexpected adornment worked, because the pile and color of the rug brought a tangible element to the space that was both modern and inviting.

Of course, hanging rugs on the wall isn’t a groundbreaking trend. Textile art is a design element with roots as deep as civilization, hung in caves, courts and castles as an art form all to themselves.

But the trend has evolved away from the display of intricate, detailed portrait pieces to showcase the texture and patterns of rugs. The look is most traditionally done with Suzani embroideries, decorative pieces and smaller antique rugs.

But with the help of simple DIY techniques, larger rugs with more character can become vibrant wall hangings. Casting, for example, involves sewing a strip of heavy cotton or linen onto the back of a rug. A metal bar slightly shorter than the rug is inserted into the casting, acting like a curtain rod that balances the rug on the wall with angled screws or nails.

Another method is mounting a rug on a linen covered frame, effectively turning the rug into art itself. Bringing rugs beyond the floor isn’t just an aesthetic trick. It can also extend the life of a cherished, but well worn piece. And, it can be an interior design life saver by adding surprising style to an unusual wall space.