The world of “women’s work” has always included textiles. Spanning centuries and continents, women have spun, woven, knitted, embroidered and quilted, creating useful items for their households while giving free rein to their creativity. In societies where few such opportunities were available to women, textile art provided an outlet for self expression in a socially acceptable way.

In the 21st century, artists have found additional avenues for commentary through textile work. Threads That Bind will explore the ways contemporary artists have used textiles to give voice to the issues that bind us – both as individuals bound by gender restrictions and humanity bound together through common concerns.