November 12, 2024 – December 14, 2024
Marymount University

Artist Talk: Thursday, November 14,  5pm
Ballston Center Auditorium

Reception: Thursday, November 14, 5:30-7:30pm
Cody Gallery, 2nd floor, Ballston Center

Curated by Susan Hergenrather / Sal Pirrone
Lina Forrester – Kravet Archivist

Cody Gallery
Marymount University
1000 N. Glebe Rd., 2nd Fl.
Arlington, VA 22201
Threads of Time: An Archival Textile Journey explores the evolution of textile design and production, highlighting key historical periods, cultural influences, and the artistry of textile creation, with a focus on how textiles have been used to express identity, status, and tradition across different cultures and eras. Key questions include:

• How have textiles reflected the social, cultural, and economic contexts of their time?
• What stories do these textiles tell about the people and societies that produced them?
• How have textile techniques and materials evolved over time?

One piece included in the exhibition is Lee Jofa’s, Tree of Life. Inspired by an 18th-century Indian palampore, this work features an intricate design of a flourishing tree adorned with exotic birds and stylized flowers. Created by renowned textile designer Harry Wearne in the 1920s, the fabric is hand-block printed using 365 hand-carved wooden blocks to achieve a 3 yard vertical repeat, with each block meticulously aligned like a 3D jigsaw puzzle. The process requires highly skilled artisans with years of handblock training, allowing them to produce only two yards of fabric per day.

Kravet is a global leader, representing brands and designers from all over the world. Kravet Inc. owns Kravet, Lee Jofa, GP & J Baker, Brunschwig & Fils and Donghia offering fabrics, furniture, wallcoverings, trimmings, carpets and accessories, specializing in style, luxury and exceptional design.

Cody Gallery is a contemporary art space created as a platform to support the arts and strengthen the arts community at Marymount University and the greater Washington DC area. The gallery is operated by the School of Design + Art at Marymount.