Traveling Exhibition
African American Fiber Art
This traveling exhibition features African American fiber artists from across the nation.
African American fiber artists from across the nation were invited to participate in the 16th Annual African American Fiber Art Exhibition Sister Girl Friends (and Brothers, too), a component of the 2023 North Charleston Arts Fest.
Inspired by the Isadora James quote, “A sister friend is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning a life, “this year’s theme looks to celebrate friendships between sisters (and brothers, too), both familial and those chosen along the way. The challenge for this year’s exhibit is for artists to create a fiber art piece that explores the special bond between sister girlfriends and the strength that can be drawn from these cherished relationships. Sister girlfriends support, defend, encourage, trust, and advocate for one another. They show up in every way.
“It means everything to be able to have support and hopefully be open enough to talk about things that another sister has gone through so that she can help me out. I think it’s all about trusting. If you can trust a sister friend to be open and speak your truth, she can possibly come right back to you with something that can help you through the scenario. Sister friends have ‘sweet, crazy conversations full of half sentences, daydreams and misunderstandings more thrilling than understanding could ever be.’” – Toni Morrison
“Honor the friendships that allow you to pick up from where you last left off, regardless of how long it’s been since you connected. The friendships that survive hiatuses, silences, and space. Those are the connections that never die.” – Billy Chapata
Organized and presented by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department and curated by Torreah “Cookie” Washington, this unique opportunity offers African American fiber artists a showcase to exhibit their original and innovative designs. Following the close of the exhibition, up to 20 works will be selected to tour the state of South Carolina through the SC State Museum’s 2023/2024 Traveling Exhibitions Program.
About the Curator
We are pleased to welcome back Torreah “Cookie” Washington as the curator for this annual exhibition. Cookie is an award-winning master art quilter and curator. She was born in Rabat, Morocco, and has traveled extensively, creating with textiles for more than a quarter of a century. A fourth generation textile artist, Cookie’s mother, grandmother, and great grandmother were all experienced quilters, fashion designers, and master tailors. Cookie has lived in the South Carolina Lowcountry for 30 years and is excited by the now thriving arts community. Her current passion is fiber art muralism that celebrates the Divine Feminine and the contributions of her African ancestral heritage.
Schedule
Currently Available
Upcoming
Aug. – Sept. 2023
Brookgreen Gardens
Feb. – March 2024
The Museum Greenwood