Can I feel it? : Exploring Textiles and Beyond


Can I Feel It? explores the profound and often overlooked allure of textiles. The exhibition transcends the visual, captivating you to engage with the tactility of art. In a world dominated by the digital and the intangible, the works entice you to reconnect with the material world – to touch and feel through the experience of body and soul. The eight artists converge to present their artistic approach to textile art, bringing their unique perspectives and techniques through a body of work that exemplifies the potential and manipulation of textile materials. An array of techniques such as tufting, crocheting, and the innovative use of natural and synthetic fibres push the boundaries of textiles. The materials range from the familiar—fabrics, wool, cotton, silk, and mohair to the unconventional — beads, spangles, optical fibres, and Hanji (traditional Korean paper). These materials are unique not just in their texture and composition but also in their ability to evoke different emotional and sensory responses. What makes these materials truly unique is their ability to transform through the artists' manipulation, transcending their traditional uses. Wool, for instance, is no longer just a source of warmth but becomes a medium for intricate patterning and textural exploration. Beads and spangles, often associated with decorative crafts, are elevated to the status of fine art. The combination of these materials challenges conventional notions of what textiles can be, pushing the boundaries of both the medium and the message it conveys. At the centre of the exhibition is the exploration of tactility itself. What does it mean to feel? Is it merely the softness of a material or is it the allure of that interaction between the material and the human body? The artists challenge these notions, using a combination of manual and machine techniques to create works that are both structurally complex and emotionally resonant. Aided by a machine or working alone, the hand is the ultimate tool that bridges the seams between the tangible and the intangible. The artists present a wide range of thematic explorations, from pictorial and illustrative works to abstract expression. The themes that are addressed are as diverse as the materials. Some artists explore the relationship between people and their environments, drawing inspiration from nature, city life, and the vibrant spontaneous beauty of traces such as urban graffiti. Other artists choose to focus on the allure of the visually appealing that attracts yet conceals complex emotions while some artists choose to reflect a meaningful lifestyle that embraces fun. Can I Feel It? is not only an invitation to view but to truly experience textile art. It prompts you to reconsider the role of touch in the appreciation of art and design, and explore the connections you have between material, technique, and emotion. Art is not only to be seen but to also be felt on an emotional and physical level. In a world where touch is often restrained and mediated, this exhibition serves as a reminder of the power and importance of tactile engagement. The exhibition challenges you to question your perceptions of materiality and discover the profound beauty that lies beneath a simple act of touch.