The Art Gallery of South Australia’s latest exhibition, Radical Textiles, explores how artists have used textiles to reflect moments of social change, beauty, and political activism.
Highlights include the world premiere of artist Nell’s NELL ANNE QUILT, featuring more than 440 embroidered patches from people worldwide, each naming an influential woman in their life.
Women’s Suffrage Centenary Tapestries, designed by South Australian master weaver Kay Lawrence and created by community weavers to mark 100 years of women’s right to vote in South Australia, also form part of the exhibition. These tapestries are being shown outside Parliament House for the first time.
Also appearing is Don Dunstan’s pink shorts, worn on the steps of Parliament House in 1972, symbolising his dedication to equality, social justice, and civil rights.
Australian fashion label Romance Was Born will present a pop-up shop at AGSA on Saturday, 23 November from 10am-4pm, plus there’ll be a series of artist talks and the launch of a dazzling activity space for children developed by South Australian Pop Art artist Frida Las Vegas.
Exhibition co-curators, Rebecca Evans and Leigh Robb, comment: “This exhibition poses the question, ‘What is radical about textiles?’ Radical is wearing pink shorts to Parliament in 1972 as did former South
Australian Premier, Don Dunstan.
“Radical is picking up a needle and thread to agitate for the right to vote, equal pay and climate justice. Radical is First Nations artists and fashion designers using textiles to unpick colonisation.'”
Radical Textiles is at the Art Gallery of South Australia during the Adelaide Festival season until 30 March 2025.
Find the Art Gallery of South Australia on North Terrace or agsa.sa.gov.au
