The art of fabric on exhibit at JBU
Artist Shirley Cunningham uses fabric as paint, and a needle and thread as paintbrushes to tell the story of creation in her latest exhibit, titled “TOWB.”
The exhibit is currently on display at John Brown University and will be celebrated at a closing reception on Thursday.
The event will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5 in JBU’s main gallery. It will include a performance by Great Abandon Dance Ministry and readings and song by Morgan Commer and Haven Brown. The artist will also give a gallery talk.
Cunningham’s exhibit includes seven large, free-hanging tapestry pieces, each representing one of the time periods of creation. The individual pieces are displayed as an installation that viewers can walk through
and watch the story unfold. The show’s title, TOWB, is a picturesque Hebrew word for good that encapsulates the story of Genesis 1.
“My hope is that when audiences stand among these hanging tapestries, they will remember or consider the story of Genesis 1 and be reminded of the beauty that surrounds us and the loving and creative God who created us,” Cunningham wrote in her artist’s statement.
Cunningham is a trained professional clothing designer and seamstress, according to Bobby Martin, gallery director. In her 60s she reoriented herself, taking her fabric sewing and designing skills, and turning them toward becoming a fabric and textile artist.
Cunningham has a large collection of vintage clothing, fabrics and notions dating back to the 1910s and 1920s that she uses in her artwork. The various types of fabric create texture and color, while details such as embroidery and bead-work create brush strokes.
Martin said that using textiles and fabrics for art rather than fashion design is rather unusual.
“It’s a great medium she’s using… This is very unusual I think because she uses the clothing itself and repurposes it to turn the clothing into some kind of creative statement,” he said.
TOWB is Cunningham’s second show at JBU, following an exhibit titled “Cloth Journey,” in 2014. The exhibit has been a lifelong project for Cunningham and the university will be the first to display the exhibit.
Martin is hopeful the exhibit will inspire students and show them that fabric and other unusual mediums can be used to create artwork. He is also looking forward to her gallery talk, because of her engaging and entertaining speaking style.
“She’s painting with fabric and thread, it’s very unique work,” Martin said. “I’m glad we will be the first ones to show this.”
More information about Cunningham is available at www.shirlc.com.