Saved events

Unravel

The Power and Politics of Textiles in Art

— ,Art Gallery
unravel install image

Using textiles, fibre and thread, 50 international artists challenged power structures and reimagined the world in this major group exhibition.

Textiles cover and protect us, engage our senses, trigger our memories, represent our beliefs, hold our stories. We are wrapped in cloth when we’re born and enshrouded in it when we die.

As an artistic medium, textiles can speak to the joys and pains of being human, as well as the larger structures and systems that shape our world.

In this major group exhibition, we showcased 50 international, intergenerational artists use textiles to communicate vital ideas about power, resistance and survival. From intimate hand-crafted pieces to monumental sculptural installations, these works offered narratives of violence, imperialism and exclusion alongside stories of resilience, love and hope.

Tagged with: Art & design Bitesize Barbican

Content note

Please be advised that some works in this exhibition contained nudity, some works contained references to forms of systemic violence including police brutality, sexual violence, colonialism, racism and the transatlantic slave trade. 

Update: works on display

In response to the Barbican’s decision not to host the London Review of Books (LRB) Winter Lecture Series, some artists and lenders withdrew works, provided statements or made other interventions as an act of solidarity with Palestine. We respect the decisions of those involved and you can read our statement on this here. The below list of participating artists shows the artists whose works were withdrawn.

This exhibition was co-curated by the Barbican, London and Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam where the exhibition will be on show from September 2024.

  • Sat-Wed   10am - 6pm (last entry 4.30pm)
  • Thu-Fri   10am - 8pm (last entry 6.30pm)
  • Bank Holidays   12pm - 6pm (last entry 4.30pm)

Participating artists

Magdalena Abakanowicz (Poland), Igshaan Adams (South Africa), Ghada Amer (Egypt/France), Arpilleristas (Chile), Mercedes Azpilicueta (Argentina),  Kevin Beasley (USA), Sanford Biggers (USA), Louise Bourgeois (France / USA), Jagoda Buić (Croatia), Margarita Cabrera (Mexico / USA), Feliciano Centurión (Paraguay), Judy Chicago (USA), Myrlande Constant (Haiti), Tracey Emin (UK), Jeffrey Gibson (USA), Antonio Jose Guzman and Iva Jankovic (The Netherlands / Panama and The Netherlands / Yugoslavia), Harmony Hammond (USA),  Sheila Hicks (USA), Nicholas Hlobo (South Africa), Yee I-Lann (Malaysia), Kimsooja (South Korea), Acaye Kerunen (Uganda), José Leonilson (Brazil), Tau Lewis (Canada), Ibrahim Mahama (Ghana), Teresa Margolles (Mexico), Georgina Maxim (Zimbabwe), Małgorzata Mirga-Tas (Poland), Mrinalini Mukherjee (India), Violeta Parra (Chile), Solange Pessoa (Brazil), Antonio Pichillá Quiacaín (Guatemala), Faith Ringgold (USA), LJ Roberts (USA), Zamthingla Ruivah (India), Hannah Ryggen (Norway), Tschabalala Self (USA), Yinka Shonibare CBE RA (UK), Angela Su (Hong Kong), Lenore Tawney (USA), T. Vinoja (Sri Lanka), Cecilia Vicuña (Chile), Billie Zangewa (Malawi / South Africa), and Sarah Zapata (Peru / USA).

Works by the following artists were withdrawn as an act of solidarity with Palestine in response to the Barbican’s decision not to host the London Review of Books (LRB) Winter Lecture Series. We respect the decisions of the artists and lenders involved and you can read our statement on this here.

Pacita Abad (The Philippines/USA), Yto Barrada (Morocco), Diedrick Brackens (USA), Cian Dayrit (The Philippines), Loretta Pettway (Gee’s Bend) (USA), and Mounira Al Solh (Lebanon).

Reviews

  • ‘A gorgeously excessive tangled knot of a show, full of blood, pain and pleasure‘
    The Guardian
  • ‘A breathtaking, glittering riot‘
    Evening Standard
  • ‘Extraordinary expressiveness‘
    The Telegraph
  • ‘Each room holds something beautiful, curious and unexpected‘
    The Times

Pay What You Can

Every Thursday from 5 – 8pm, entry to Unravel: The Power and Politics of Textiles in Art is priced Pay What You Can.

Simply pick the price you can pay and enjoy the exhibition. If you're able to pay £18, you'll be helping to support our Visual Arts programme at the Barbican.

Want to see more art for free? Become a member today

Watch our collaborative film with Dezeen

Unravel install image

Unravel x Dezeen

In an exclusive film produced by Dezeen our Curator Lotte Johnson talks us through some of her highlights from Unravel: The Power and Politics of Textiles in Art.

View here

More art

Read the exhibition guide

Large print guide

Access

During the run of Unravel, we have a variety of access resources and information to help support your visit.

If you have any access requirements that you would like to discuss ahead of your visit, please email [email protected] or call 020 7101 1188 (Mon - Sun 10am-4pm).

Wheelchair Access

Unravel is accessible by the Main Centre Lifts to Level 3. There is a passenger lift (107 x 140cm) inside the gallery to access the upper level.

AD Tour, BSL Tour & Relaxed Viewings

Accessible events | Barbican

Visual Story

A visual story of The Gallery can be requested here under the Visual Stories section.

Communication Cards – Pre planning your journey

We have communication cards to help you find your way around the building. We have digital copies you can access and/or print at home as well as printed copies in the Centre available at our info desk on Level G. Please ask a member of staff if you need support locating your nearest pack.

Large Print Exhibition Text

We have large print guides of our exhibition text. These are available both digitally and printed. You can collect a printed version from our invigilator desk at the entrance of The Gallery.

Student Group Visits

two kids playing a video game inside a glassbox

Visual Arts Schools Offer

Schools and education groups are welcome to our diverse range of exhibitions. The Galleries are a stimulating place for students to experience major artworks from some of the world’s leading visual artists and learn about contemporary and modern art.

Find out more

Art Gallery

Location
The Art Gallery is located on Level 3 and can be accessed by stairs and lifts from Level G or via the Sculpture Court if coming from outside. 

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.