Description: Online exhibition on contemporary embroidery art, curated by Peggy Schoenegge and Darja Zub, presented by peer to space.
Claiming Needles Positions of Contemporary Embroidery Art Curated by: Peggy Schoenegge and Darja Zub Presented by: peer to space Website by: Emilie Gervais
The practice of needlework has traditionally been an activity primarily ascribed to women. In doing needlework, privileged women in the West performed an activity regarded as feminine, which evoked an impression of diligence. As a result of industrialization in the 19th century, needlework became primarily a male activity. During the period of re-domestication after World War II, embroidery reverted to the female sphere of work again.
The birth of the Arts and Crafts movement in Britain in the late 19th century marked the reform of how society valued manufacture and embroidery. Being formerly reduced to its original purpose, needlework now was claimed as an artisanal activity and as a solid part of Fine Arts. Artists Woty Werner and Alighiero Boetti used embroidery for their artistic reflection, making the medium acceptable in museums in the middle of 20th century.