Innovative Threads
August 02, 2026 - August 30, 2026
RK Contemporary 32 Main Street Riebeek Kasteel
Fibre art has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past few decades. Once viewed as “craft” or “women’s work” and often excluded from major galleries and museums, it now occupies a respected place within the contemporary art world, sitting at the intersection of fine art, craft, design, and social commentary. Many leading contemporary artists use textiles, embroidery, weaving, knotting, quilting and felt-making as serious artistic media rather than purely functional or decorative forms.
In South Africa fibre art is particularly vibrant. Artists draw on rich traditions of weaving, beadwork, basketry, embroidery, and textile practices while engaging with contemporary issues. Contemporary artists frequently combine traditional textile techniques with unconventional materials, digital technology, photography, sculpture, and installation.
Margie Garratt founded the original Innovative Threads in 1996 and successfully curated the exhibition for a decade and travelled extensively, with exhibitions presented in the USA, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Japan and New Zealand, firmly placing South African fibre art on the international map.
With her knowledge, I have titled this exhibition Innovative Threads in recognition of that work and effort, and it is my hope that it will continue to grow into a significant annual event celebrating the innovation, creativity and relevance of contemporary fibre art.
Katja Abbott | Willemien de Villiers | Dineo Ponde Mafora | Leah Johnson
Leila Walter | Nina Kruger | Virginia McKenney & Margaret Courtney-Clarke
