We’ve all spent a lot of time indoors this year and it seems like many of us are retreating back inside again. While there is plenty of arty activity available online, most of us are completely over Zoom right now. As we’re trying to keep away from our screens, why not use the time to get your arts and crafts on? It’s the perfect opportunity to try something new and, as we’re all at home, why not try your hand playing with textiles? We’re here to present you with seven female textiles to serve you some inspiration!
Selby Hurst Inglefield @selbi_hi
A graduate of London’s prestigious Central St Martins’, Selby’s work uses the rug punching technique to make these gorgeous works that are both artwork and rug. Made up of dreamy colours, nudes and cats, what’s not to love?!
Samar Hejazi @samarhejazi
Samar Hejazi’s work is inspired by her Palestinian roots. Using needle and thread to connect to her heritage, her pieces are like a love letter to the tradition of Palestinian tatreez (Palestinian embroidery). Why not make like Samar and use this time to connect with your roots?!
Tammy Kanat @tammykanat
Australian artist Tammy Kanat turned to textiles after a career as a jewellery designer. Her large woven works are both meditative and beautiful, and great inspo for a project that will brighten up your home office.
Billie Zangewa
Billie Zangewa uses the technique of applique to document everyday life. Using silk to make the mundane beautiful, her works are like paintings in fabric.
Nada Elkalaawy @nadakalaawy
British-Egyptian artist Nada Elkalaawy is predominantly a painter, but she also transforms her stunning paintings into tapestries. So, just because you’re more of a photographer, sculptor or draughtswoman, doesn’t mean that you can’t turn your hand to a needle and thread! Why not use the time indoors to recreate a painting into a textile masterpiece?
Faith Ringgold @faithringgold
Faith Ringgold is famous for her quilts, and now that winter is almost here, it is the perfect time to get quilting! Faith first started sewing with the help of her mom, and sewing is the great activity to work on as families. You can also use your work to draw attention to causes you care about, with Faith’s work commenting on race, underrepresentation and politics.
Bea Bonafini @beabonafini
Bea Bonafini is multi-discipline artist, but she probably best known for textiles. Her work is socially engaged and is inspired by confrontation in human relationships, ritual processes and notions of the sensual and visceral, often replacing paint with fabric. Now is the perfect time to experiment with different artistic mediums!
Text Lizzy Vartanian