Textile art is one of the oldest art forms known to humankind. The history of textiles is the history of technological advancements and international trade. 

During the 18th century when the art world became more academic, The Royal Academy passed a rule that banned needlework from admission into any exhibition, alongside other “lesser” art forms. Textiles became associated with domesticity and femininity, labeled inferior to the “high art” of painting and sculpture, which were associated with men. We have seen many feminist groups and artists reclaiming the medium to speak out about injustice. Thanks to its functionality and power of storytelling, textile work is also central to artistic practices of indigenous and oppressed cultures worldwide. 

Today, textile arts have been embraced in the art world, and celebrated for the stories they tell. Whether trying to preserve a tradition or speak about current political issues, artists are using textiles in innovative ways. 

Discover our collection of contemporary textile artwork by Singulart artists.