An interest in textile and fibre art seems to bubble up perennially, not that it ever really disappears. But every now and again, it is drawn into the spotlight usually with a tone of surprise. This is despite the fact that today contemporary artists are working, more than ever, in a multidisciplinary way, and without the outdated perceptions attached to material.
Gutman ticked another box of our times, that of sustainable art-making. Fibre artists have long used natural materials to create a connection to the land and environment and, of course, there is the deep tradition of First Nations artists with weaving, and more recently fashion. But these are also topics very much of our day, as many artists make work about our climate emergency.
