Story Behind the Exhibition: Dateline Toronto 1973

In 1970 Helen Duffy, whose was part of the AGO's Wall Hanging exhibition had a solo exhibition Banners and Constructed Hangings touring was appointed consultant for Textile into 3D, in collaboration with Claire Watson, co-ordinator. of AGO’s extension services.

Banners and Constructed Hangings had been exhibited at The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, The Burnaby Art Gallery, in Vancouver and the Commonwealth Institute Art Gallery, in London England. While in London she had been invited to attend seminars for art and music directors sponsored by the Spanish Arts Council in Madrid and the Scottish Arts Council in Edinburgh.  

Her eyes were open to the exploration of new forms and techniques, she particularly sensed the new liaison between the artist and the craftsman and that, in essence, is what Textile into 3D is all about. “Answers are to be found,” she says, “in the combination of the two related fields where artistic and imaginative freedom is expressed through expert control, knowledge and the craftsman’s skill.”

Claire Watson and Helen Duffy developed a concept, wrote to curators, art Councils and artists across Canada in search of artists whose work might align itself with the show’s concept. They travelled the provinces looking, discussing, and though 52 artists were considered, only 38 were invited to send in detailed sketches or maquettes.  From that number, 26 artists from British Columbia, Alberta Ontario, Québec, and Nova Scotia were finally selected

  TEXTILE INTO 3D: Exhibition Concept

The use of textiles and other fibrous material in the design and construction of three—dimensional art forms is a comparatively recent development, even in Europe where it first came to be accepted as valid, but it is now beginning to appear in Canadian work. Textile sculptures are being commissioned for more and more public buildings, theatres, banks, hotels and the concept of the decorated surface, whether in arrangements of framed paintings, murals, tapestries or relief sculpture, is being challenged by the fresh possibilities of this new, free hanging form.

Enough work has been done to show that the form requires a combination of skills and artistic imagination far beyond outstanding craftsmanship and manual inventiveness. The artist must express his idea outside the limits of a cartoon or blueprint. In short, an artist who has moved into this field of visual expression is as distinct from the conventional weaver as the sculptor is from a stonemason.

Enough work has been done to show that the form requires a combination of skills and artistic imagination far beyond outstanding craftsmanship and manual inventiveness. The artist must express his idea outside the limits of a cartoon or blueprint. In short, an artist who has moved into this field of visual expression is as distinct from the conventional weaver as the sculptor is from a stonemason.

Textile into 3D will display the wide range of imaginative concepts in the minds of Canada’s best artists in this field, and the techniques they are developing to express them.

It is already apparent at this early stage of planning that most of the artists approached are enthusiastically willing to sacrifice time from the execution of commissions in order to have this opportunity for a completely free and personal expression of their imagination and skill.

The standard of selection will ensure that Textile into 3D is a true art show, taking craftsmanship of textile—working in a new creative direction.

The focus of the collection will be sculptural rather than pictorial. There will be about twenty-eight large works, either suspended from the ceiling or free-standing. We are aware of the weight problem and have asked the artists to keep this in mind and to distribute this weight over three or four points rather than just one. All fabrics will be fireproofed by the artists. No inflammable fibres are to be incorporated unless they have been specially treated.

There will be no wall-hangings to confuse the statement. The works will be chosen so as to complement each other in exhibition rooms, with an overall impression of harmony in diversity. It is being emphasized to the artists that the work they submit must be able to stand the strain of travel and frequent packing and unpacking.

The professional standing of all artists was evaluated before they were invited to submit works. It is gratifying that so many outstanding people have accepted the invitation, and we expect all regions of Canada to be represented, though it appears now that the main contribution will be from Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia.

Helen Duffy, Consultant, December, 1972.

  Claire Watson, concerned’ with many of the physical details of pulling’ the show together, made a prediction. “This show represents a breakthrough,” she said. “I think something absolutely unique will happen among weavers in a very short time. ‘The show is a challenge to everyone, from the installers because it takes two days to install, to the art centres which book it. It’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, And to the artists themselves, this was their chance to explore new potentials in fibres and fabrics but it also meant a sacrifice in time particularly for the professionals...

Gallery List:

October 4 - 21 1973, Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery http://www.kwag.ca/en/

October 31- November 25, 1973 Rodman Hall, St. Catharines, http://www.brocku.ca/rodmanhall/

December21,1973 - January 13, 1974 Sarnia Public Library and Art Gallery ( Libraries,  Museums, Galleries, County of Lambton) http://www.lclmg.org/lclmg/Default.aspx

January 26 - February 17, 1974 Agnes Etherington Art Centre. Kingston http://www.aeac.ca/

March 8—25, 1974, Rothman’s Art Gallery, Strafford (Strafford Gallery) http://www.gallerystratford.on.ca/index.php

April 4—28, 1974, London Public Library and Art Museum, Museum London http://www.londonmuseum.on.ca/ or http://www.londonpubliclibrary.ca/node/229

May 4 June 2.1974, The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa, http://www.rmg.on.ca/

June 7—30, 1974, Art Gallery of Ontario presentation at York University, Toronto http://www.ago.net/

July 5—28, 1974, The Art Gallery of Hamilton. http://www.artgalleryofhamilton.com/

August 2—25.1974, Oakville Public Library and Centennial Gallery http://www.oakvillegalleries.com/