Guided tour of the exhibition Threading the Needle

The Nisa Factory Gallery is located in a former spinning mill, where various types of textile production took place from the first third of the 19th century until the early 1950s. Both natural and artificial fabrics were produced here, most recently artificial silk printed with floral and geometric patterns. The exhibition project Prostrčit oko jehlou (Poking the Eye with a Needle) therefore focuses on the role of textile fibres and decoration in contemporary art.

The aim is to present contemporary work in which decoration based on the essence of textiles is part of drawing, painting and new media. Sewn objects based on classic hanging pictures are also included. Textile interventions appear here in the form of lace, embroidery or prints on drawings and paintings.

A separate section is devoted to specific, socially critical sewn objects or readymades made from swings. In recent years, the connection between textile art and high art has become a theme for a number of artists, especially women. What has always been perceived as a traditional female activity – weaving, embroidery, decorative work – is in a way rehabilitated and at the same time becomes a means of criticising society, including its long-broken but still traditional gender stereotypes.

The works selected for the current exhibition are of various kinds and span different generations, but they all refer specifically to the textile history of the wider region. This is one of our long-term goals. The selected works offer an interpretation of decorative structure, using fabric and ornament both in their original sense and in new contexts. Textile raster, embroidery, lace, ornament and spatial installation are an imaginary dialogue between the historical context and the reception of its current perception. The common denominator of all the works presented is respect for craftsmanship and its importance in society, not only for past generations.

Represented authors:

Jana Bernartová Jiří Černický Libuše Dlabola Pražáková Milena Dopitová Lucie Rosická Markéta Zlesáková

Exhibition curators: Jana Bertartová and Anna Habánová.

We look forward to your visit.



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