Textiles: The Art of Mankind - A Review

In this episode, Dr Laura Beltrán-Rubio reviews the exhibition ‘Textiles: The Art of Mankind’ at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London. She discusses the integral role of textiles in human history, the beauty of the exhibited pieces, and the challenges faced in curatorial practices. Laura critiques the language and representation used in the exhibition, highlighting missed opportunities to engage with broader themes and community narratives. She concludes with suggestions for improving future exhibitions, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and thoughtful representation. Takeaways Textiles are essential to human creativity and history. The exhibition showcased a deep connection between textiles and humanity. Curatorial practices can sometimes perpetuate outdated narratives. Language and naming conventions are crucial in representation. Missed opportunities exist in engaging with community narratives. Textiles reflect complex histories and identities. The beauty of textiles can evoke personal connections. Community engagement enhances the understanding of textile art. Critique of the exhibition's language and terminology is necessary. Future exhibitions should prioritize inclusivity and representation. Relevant links & references On molas: ‘Fashioning Identity: Mola Textiles of Panamá’ by Andrea Vazquez de Arthur (8 October 2020) On the ‘art’ vs ‘craft’ debate around textiles: Sew What? ‘Episode 21 – The Art of Craft: Needlework in the Art and Craft Debate’ (1 October 2020) Book: ‘Textiles: The Art of Mankind’ (commissionable link) Exhibition website: https://fashiontextilemuseum.org/exhibitionsdisplays/textiles-the-art-of-mankind/ More about Laura Website: ⁠https://laurabelru.com/⁠ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurabelru TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurabelru Newsletter: ⁠https://laurabelru.substack.com/