Textile art is the creation of works of artistic expression using fibres, fabrics and textile techniques such as weaving, embroidery, appliqué, knitting, felting, quilting and printing. It encompasses both historic decorative textiles that are now appreciated as works of art and modern pieces conceived from the outset as artworks rather than functional objects.
The tradition is ancient, from medieval tapestries and ecclesiastical embroidery to seventeenth-century stumpwork pictures, Victorian woolwork and the needlework of the Arts and Crafts movement, when William Morris and his circle elevated embroidery and tapestry weaving to a high art. In the twentieth century textile art developed into a distinct field, with weavers at the Bauhaus such as Anni Albers exploring abstract design and later fibre artists creating sculptural hangings and installations. Collectors of textile art value originality of design, technical skill, the use of colour and material, and the reputation of the maker. Condition is crucial, since fibres are vulnerable to light, insects and handling. Framing behind conservation-grade glazing, or hanging with a proper support system, allows textile art to be displayed safely as a striking feature in a modern or traditional interior.
