Activism Through Textiles: An Evaluation of the Exhibition Unravel: The Power and Politics of Textiles in Art
Romaya Journal, cilt.3, sa.3, ss.1-15, 2026 (Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 3 Sayı: 3
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Dergi Adı: Romaya Journal
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-15
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study examines the exhibition Unravel: The Power and Politics of Textiles in Art, held at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, in terms of the role of textiles as a medium for political expression and critique in contemporary art. The works featured in the exhibition demonstrate the potential of textiles to generate political discourse through critical approaches developed across diverse themes, including gender, ecology, queer theory, economics, ethnicity, HIV, and colonialism. By analyzing selected case studies from the exhibition, this article discusses how textiles, despite being a “soft” material, effectively communicate powerful social and political messages. This research relies on a review of relevant academic literature, as well as a visual analysis and conceptual evaluation of the artworks displayed in the museum exhibition. Data collection employed literature review and visual document analysis methods. Through purposive sampling, the research sample comprises works by seven contemporary textile artists selected from among the exhibition participants. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and interpretive techniques.