From art fairs to museum exhibitions; textiles are more popular than ever. Artists from all over the world come to the TextielLab, the TextielMuseum’s professional workshop, to research and experiment. Textile now displays previously unseen work by both well-known names and young talent.  They use the unique expressiveness of textiles to draw attention to current themes like identity, diversity, sexuality, gender, environment and decolonisation, and sometimes actively involve you as an audience.

The exhibition features work from: melanie bonajo, Afra Eisma, Ada M. Patterson, Otobong Nkanga, patricia kaersenhout in collaboration with rolando vázquez, Karo Akpokiere, Geo Wyex, Alydia Wever & Ryan Oduber, Raquel van Haver and Bindweefsel.

In the exhibition, you will also find the result of the second edition of project Bindweefsel. Fifteen women from different cultures created an art piece titled Coat of Many Colors together with artist Theodorus Johannes. Each of the participants worked on their own part of the caftan-like coat in the TextielLab and they used various passement techniques. The beautiful, multicoloured coat unites all their stories and creativity. The group found their inspiration in fashion as an expression of identity and in the Dolly Parton song of the same name.