Member Program: Animals and Textiles

Join the museum's curators for an exploration the complex relationships between animals and textiles in cultures worldwide, the theme of the forthcoming installation in the museum’s lower-level galleries. They will present the various ways animal imagery is used in textile design and the significance of the ornate textiles designed for animal use.

About the Display

Animals are integral to human culture: They are crucial food sources, powerful symbols, work partners and companions. Around the world, many different types of textiles have been designed to adorn animals, and animal imagery represents a wider range of ideas, from parables to colonial relationships. Starting July 8, the museum’s lower-level galleries will display a global selection of animal-related textiles from The Textile Museum Collection. These examples represent a variety of construction techniques, materials and functions, but all invoke the power and prestige of animals in textile design.

Presenters

Shelley Burian, Lisa and Bernard Selz curator 

Sumru Belger Krody, senior curator, The Textile Museum Collection

Lee Talbot, curator, The Textile Museum Collection

How to Participate

This program is for museum members and will take place on Zoom. If you are already a member, please register online, and we will email you the Zoom link and instructions. Simply follow that link at the time the event starts (1 p.m. EDT / 10 a.m. PDT). If you are not currently a member, you can join or renew online.

About Member Programs

Support the museum and enjoy access to special members-only programs, including curator talks and behind-the-scenes tours. Browse upcoming programs