Apr 24 Wednesday
"A Tenuous Thread" is a retrospective encompassing five decades of creative output by master weaver Bhakti Ziek. Arranged chronologically, the retrospective charts the evolution of Ziek's pioneering approach to weaving alongside a historical survey of textile craft that raises questions about cultural appropriation that can be traced back to the late Byzantine plot to steal silk production from China's Tang Dynasty.
The retrospective features works from Ziek's storied weaving career, from her humble beginnings as a student of textiles in South America to her prominent career in academia and beyond. Samplers, tapestries, and mounted textile works imbued with personal symbols, motifs, and text from Ziek's life illustrate the inextricable link between the artist's weaving practice and lived experience. Ziek demonstrates this link with live, in-gallery weaving demonstrations on her floor loom every Thursday and Saturday following the exhibition’s opening on 23 February 2023.
A selection of works by Ziek's pupils-turned-colleagues, including Tali Weinberg, Jovencio de la Paz, Anastatia Spicer, Susie Taylor & Ann Morton, accompany Ziek's oeuvre and establish a figurative and material dialogue that evokes the mindful knowledge sharing essential to textile craft and innovation.
Apr 25 Thursday
Common Ground - Works on Paper: Paper is the connecting element in this fun and highly creative exhibit. New Mexico artists are invited to show prints, collage, watercolor, pastel and mixed media, all utilizing this wonderful surface for art making -- paper! The exhibit opens Thursday, April 18, and runs through Saturday, May 18, 2024. The artist reception is planned for Saturday, April 27 from 4 PM to 6 PM. Founded in 1929, the New Mexico Art League is an art school and gallery, and a non-profit 501(C)3 association. We are open to the public from 10 AM to 4 PM Tuesday through Saturday, at 3409 Juan Tabo NE, behind the Juan Tabo Library in Albuquerque. Exhibits are also online 24/7. No tickets are required. For information, call 505-293-5034 or visit our website at www.newmexicoartleague.org.
Apr 26 Friday
Join artists Bhakti Ziek, Jenny Day, Cristina González & Valerie Rangel for a series of artist talks that mark the concurrent conclusion of these artists' respective exhibitions.
Bhakti Ziek discusses her 50-year retrospective that showcases her progressive textile arts practice, which includes the monumental, suspended tapestry series "Wheel of Life," a contemporary fiber arts masterwork. A dialogue about weaving techniques in a recreation of Ziek's studio space, featuring samplers and a floor loom, rounds out the talk.
Jenny Day discusses "A Feast to Remember," a massive mixed-media installation piece filled with colorful creatures overrunning a banquet table. A ceremonial candle lighting and extinguishing marks the end of the artists' talks.
Cristina González presents her suspended amate paper installation, "Apapachando la Matria," which debuted at Vladem Contemporary and explores Chicana identity and how to heal generational trauma.
Valerie Rangel presents intricate, hand-cut paper compositions that provide a glimpse into the artist's artistic philosophy and aesthetically complement González's smaller-scale works.
Join artists Bhakti Ziek, Jenny Day, Cristina González & Valerie Rangel for a series of artist talks that mark the concurrent conclusion of these artists' respective exhibitions. Talks start at 4 PM. Reception closes at 7 PM.
Bhakti Ziek discusses her 50-year retrospective that showcases her progressive textile arts practice, which includes the monumental, suspended tapestry series Wheel of Life, a contemporary fiber arts masterwork. A dialogue about weaving techniques in a recreation of Ziek's studio space, featuring samplers and a floor loom, rounds out the talk.
Jenny Day discusses A Feast to Remember, a massive mixed-media installation piece filled with colorful creatures overrunning a banquet table. A ceremonial candle lighting and extinguishing marks the end of the artists' talks.
Cristina González presents her suspended amate paper installation, Apapachando la Matria, which debuted at Vladem Contemporary and explores Chicana identity and how to heal generational trauma.
Apr 27 Saturday
Apr 28 Sunday
Apr 29 Monday