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Archie Brennan, “American Gotham,” 1995, Collection of Jane w. and Worth B. Daniels.

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Jon Eric Riis, “Hands of the Oracle,” 1999, collection of Jerome and Deena Kaplan.

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Audrey Walker, “The Collectors or Temptation,” before 2003, collection of Diane and Marc Grainer.

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TEXTILE MUSEUM PRESENTS ‘PRIVATE PLEASURES’ w/3 cuts;

ak/gs set 9/20 #713197

WASHINGTON, D.C. — An upcoming exhibition at The Textile Museum, “Private Pleasures: Collecting Textile Art,” provides unique insight into why Washingtonians collect contemporary textile art and what objects they are inspired to collect. The reasons people acquire fiber art are as individual as the collectors themselves, but all would agree with collector Marc Grainer: “These works have everything a collector seeks. They combine technical virtuosity with interesting, challenging ideas.”

“Private Pleasures” is on view September 28–February 17.

The exhibition explores both the individual preferences of the collectors and showcases the textiles on view as outstanding examples of the art form. Drawing from the personal worlds of Washington- area art lovers, the exhibition highlights the various approaches taken to collect objects: some acquire and display art to replicate the museum setting; others accumulate objects that vary from African textiles to contemporary fiber art; and still others collect as a continuum of their lives, juxtaposing inherited family heirlooms side-by-side with cutting-edge textiles.

“Acquired and displayed to create a retreat from the stresses of everyday life, these private collections are usually seen only by family and friends,” said exhibition curator Rebecca A.T. Stevens. “‘Private Pleasures’ gives visitors entrée into an otherwise unseen world.’”

“Private Pleasures: Collecting Contemporary Textile Art” includes textile art from the mid-Twentieth Century to the present day and places the genre in the context of contemporary art history. Both wall works and sculpture are presented. On view are textile artworks created by artists such as Olga de Amaral, Archie Brennan, Nick Cave, Lia Cook, Nancy Crow, Diane Itter, Michael James, John McQueen, Louise Nevelson, Robert Rauschenberg, Jon Eric Riis, Ed Rossbach and Cynthia Schira.

Featured in the exhibition are works by California-based artist Lia Cook, who embraces new technology in her pieces to develop imagery through the weave structure. Georgia-based textile artist Jon Eric Riis, in comparison, uses traditional tapestry weave, incorporating precious materials, such as metallic and silk thread, with freshwater pearls and crystal beads in his pieces. Colombian artist Olga de Amaral also uses metallic gold in her art, but for different reasons. She combines gold with simple weave structures to reference two parts of her country’s past — the Spanish Colonial architecture and the indigenous people’s textile making skills.

While many artists use time-tested materials, exhibiting artist Ed Rossbach is known for his use of nontraditional materials. He used discarded plastic and newspapers to construct artworks long before recycling was fashionable. In both his baskets and weavings Rossbach commented, among other things, on popular culture, history and how he saw the world and man’s place in it.

“American Gotham,” by Scottish weaver Archie Brennan, also on view in the exhibition, is a classic example of textile art that intrigues collectors. Meticulously woven in the labor-intensive tapestry technique, it comments on the concept of what it is to be an American, punning on Grant Wood’s iconic painting “American Gothic.” Like the original painting, there is something strange and disturbing about the image.

The Textile Museum is at 2320 S Street. The museum is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday, from 1 to 5 pm. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $5 for nonmembers. For information, www.textilemuseum.org or 202-667-0441.