Women Pulling at the Threads of Social Discourse

Amy Gelb I Wear Her Memory Like A Crown We Took The Vote cropped

June 23 – October 1, 2023

Explore how female artists, using textiles as their medium, subvert the social expectations of crafting by lambasting this soft medium with social and political awareness. A powerful vehicle for fostering discussion, this exhibit centers female voices as they reflect on subjects like the right to vote, reproductive rights, and the intersection of femininity, race, history and feminist socio-politics.

Featuring artists from the Contemporary Art Modern Project (CAMP) show in 2020, and in partnership with Fiber Arts Miami Association (FAMA) this exhibit incorporates art by national and local artists who are at the forefront of social discourse.

The Jewish Museum of Milwaukee and The Contemporary Art Modern Project (CAMP), based in Miami, are inviting textile artists to submit works for a new Midwest-focused incarnation of The CAMP’s signature exhibition, Women Pulling at the Threads of Social Discourse, coming to the Jewish Museum Milwaukee in summer 2023. This will be the third run of the exhibition exploring the effects of legislation, historic and recent, in the United States on contemporary women’s issues through fabric, and featuring predominantly female artists, delving into their relationship with themselves and their communities at the intersections of femininity, race, history, and feminist sociopolitics.

The exhibition explores life experience and civic duty through what is often, improperly, considered to be the tamest realm of fine art: fiber. Artists who have participated tackle the perspectives and rights of those who are not white, not male, and not “American,” who are repeatedly belittled and discarded. In most cases, the artists themselves belong to one, or all, of these groups.

We are asking those who submit to create 40 x 60 inch textile/fiber works weaving in one or more of the following themes: legislation in the United States, civil rights, the importance of voting, bodily autonomy and reproductive rights, identity/cultural autonomy, immigration, gender equality.

The dimensions of 40 x 60 inches are in keeping with the traditional size of flags and protest banners throughout history. Submission proposals that are these dimensions or approach these dimensions will be considered.

While the show’s title refers to women, non-binary and male-identifying artists are welcome to apply as well.

Submission requirements:

  • Images and/or sketches of proposed submission; textile. Images must be high resolution. All entries must be submitted by April 10, 2023.
  • An artist statement explaining submitted work and artist’s intention.

Proposal selections will be determined by committee and submitting artists will be notified by Friday, April 14.

Final images are due no later than May 15, 2023.

Artwork must be delivered between June 7 – 13, 2023, to:
Jewish Museum Milwaukee
1360 N. Prospect Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53202

Entries can be sent directly to:
[email protected] | [email protected]

Opening Preview of Women Pulling at the Threads of Social Discourse
Thursday, June 22

Detail of Amy Gelb, I Wear Her Memory Like A Crown -We Took The Vote

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1360 N Prospect Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53202

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