Textiles Retrospective Exhibition: Celebrating a Tapestry of Community and Creativity

Since 2017, Independent Arts has been dedicated to exploring the rich potential of textiles through a wide range of projects and programmes. Our latest exhibition, Textiles Retrospective, brings together years of creative collaboration, showcasing a vibrant body of work that reflects our commitment to participatory art and community building.

A Journey Through Collaborative Creation
Textiles have played a pivotal role in our artistic journey, allowing us to experiment with various mediums and techniques. The works on display include large-scale collaborative pieces—quilted banners, intricate weavings, and inventive experiments with screen printing, fabric dyeing, staining, and block printing. We’ve even incorporated sewing machine stitching into works on paper, inspired by recent map-making workshops run with home-educating families. This diverse approach highlights not only the versatility of textiles as a medium but also the powerful impact of shared creative endeavours.

Art for All Ages and Spaces
One of the most inspiring aspects of our textiles journey is the inclusivity it fosters. The exhibition features creations made by participants ranging from young teens to those in their later years, underlining the universal appeal of creative expression. Beyond the walls of the Creative Hub, our large-scale textile works can also be found at Osborne House and in Island schools, reinforcing our belief that art has the power to connect communities across different generations and settings.

Learning, Sharing, and Growing Together
Over the past seven years, we have learned a great deal from our participants. Their willingness to bring their own specialist skills to our projects has enriched our collective experience and elevated our work to new heights. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the participants and freelance artists who have joined and led these projects on our behalf.

Exhibition Details
We invite you to experience this celebration of creativity and community for yourself. The Textiles Retrospective exhibition is open and free to view at the Creative Hub in Newport until 14th March. Whether you’re an avid art lover or simply curious about the transformative power of collaborative art, we welcome you to join us in exploring these inspiring works.

Independent Arts continues to believe in the transformative impact of participatory art. We look forward to welcoming you to the Creative Hub and sharing the story behind these remarkable textile creations.