Textile Protest

Artists, activism and the historical power of cloth in protest

A landmark survey of how textiles have been used for protest in the 20th and 21st centuries, including banners, posters, flags, clothing and pieces from the world of fine art.

A landmark survey of how textiles have been used for political protest in the 20th and 21st centuries, including banners, flags, clothing and pieces from the world of fine art.

Textile Protest showcases the richness and diversity of textiles that have been used to express resistance in its many forms. Protest textiles can be confrontational and explicit, satirical and subversive or ironic and humorous, and can be used to bridge gaps following conflicts, or to challenge the contentious issues of language, ideology or imbalances of power. Whether for social justice or peace, to demonstrate opposition to oppression or to celebrate liberty, to honour hope and equality or to express solidarity with others, people have made and united behind protest textiles for hundreds of years. This book forms a valuable history of their use.

The book is thoughtfully illustrated with examples that include heavily embroidered suffragette and trade union banners, the knitted pussyhats of the 2017 Women’s March, protest textiles from the Guerrilla Girls, Pride flags that celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, and the vast variety of textile art in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. It also covers the rich history of fine art textiles with a political theme, such as Judy Chicago’s iconic 1970s installation The Dinner Party, and includes interviews with prominent activist artists that give further insight into the way everyday materials can be repurposed to create arresting political art.

Bold and subversive, beautiful and fascinating, Textile Protest is an important global exploration of how fabric has been used to make a political statement over the years.

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