In the Curator’s Words: Rare collaboration takes a deep look at the role of textile in cultures – San Diego Union-Tribune

In the Curator’s Words is an occasional series that takes a critical look at current exhibitions through the eyes of curators.

For years, Lauren Lockhart and her colleagues at the La Jolla Historical Society have wanted to take a deeper look at the history of textiles. But they knew such an exploration would be more meaningful by partnering with another organization that lives and breathes textile.

Enter Visions Museum of Textile Art out of Arts District Liberty Station.

That partnership has produced a stunning visual display, all showcased in “Stories in Cloth: Communicating Through Textiles,” now on view through Sept. 6 at the La Jolla Historical Society’s Wisteria Cottage Gallery.

The curatorial forces behind the show took some time to answer some questions about the unique collaboration between the two artistic institutions. They are Katrina Bruins, executive director of Visions Museum of Textile Art (VMOTA); McKenna Clifford Yahyai, education and exhibitions manager at the La Jolla Historical Society; and Lockhart, the society’s executive director.

“Stories in Cloth: Communicating Through Textiles,” now on view through Sept. 6 at the La Jolla Historical Society’s Wisteria Cottage Gallery, is a partnership between Visions Museum of Textile Art and La Jolla Historical Society. Katrina Bruins, the executive director of Visions Museum of Textile Art (seated) with artist Christine Lee. (Pablo Mason)

Q: This is a partnership between the La Jolla Historical Society and Visions Museum of Textile Art. How did this partnership come about? 

Lockhart: The history of textiles is a subject that we have wanted to explore for years, and we felt it would be particularly compelling in the context of our historic cottage. While we frequently work with individual guest curators, we thought this presented an excellent opportunity to develop an organizational collaboration and learn from the expertise of our colleagues at Visions. We also appreciated the chance to partner with VMOTA so we could not only highlight local textile histories, but also place those stories within the broader history of textile traditions around the world.

Bruins: Once La Jolla Historical Society reached out, we knew this would be a great opportunity to share pieces from VMOTA’s permanent collection with the community.

Q: What was the inspiration behind this exhibition?

Bruins: We knew we wanted to collaborate and find a connection between our two institutions. While we were brainstorming ideas, the subject of communication came up — how various cultures have spoken through textiles throughout history, the hidden messages that have been used by women in times when it was unsafe to speak — and this idea really resonated with us all.

Lockhart: We were excited by the diversity of approaches to textile forms the theme of communication offered and how that would engage audiences. From clothing, to quilts, to sculpture, the objects featured reflect the incredible versatility of textile artists.

Q: This show isn’t just about artwork on walls or on display. There are workshops, tours, lectures and more. What’s the thinking behind offering activities beyond the exhibition itself?

Clifford Yahyai: Our exhibition programming is designed to help visitors of all ages engage with the exhibition on a deeper level and in varied ways, from hands-on artmaking to lectures. These programs provide opportunities to connect directly with artists, learn about their creative processes and explore the stories behind the work.

Lockhart: The exhibition has so much rich content and many layers of stories to explore that we also hope our programs encourage visitors to return often during its run and discover something new with each visit.

“Stories in Cloth: Communicating Through Textiles,” now on view through Sept. 6 at the La Jolla Historical Society’s Wisteria Cottage Gallery, is a partnership between Visions Museum of Textile Art and La Jolla Historical Society. (Pablo Mason)

Q: What are some of the highlights of this show? 

Clifford Yahyai: My personal highlight is seeing how VMOTA’s permanent collection pairs so beautifully with the work of artists creating here in San Diego. From North County artists Patricia Kelly, Michelle Montjoy and Maryam Bayat, to highlights from the Barona Cultural Center & Museum’s collection in East County, and down to South County with works from Sew Loka/Claudia Rodriguez-Biezunski and Christine Lee, the exhibition showcases the richness and diversity of our local creative community.

Q: Did you encounter any logistical difficulties while curating this exhibition since it involves more than one institution? 

Bruins: Our organizations worked really well together. Because we are both similar in size (physical space and staffing), we know what it’s like for multiple people to wear different hats throughout the process and jump in to move something forward. Each person on our team played a part in making this exhibition come to life.

Clifford Yahyai: I agree that we worked well together. It also helped that we are both small organizations, so we understand each other’s needs and challenges. We were grateful for the partnership and appreciated the opportunity to collaborate.

“Stories in Cloth: Communicating Through Textiles,” now on view through Sept. 6 at the La Jolla Historical Society’s Wisteria Cottage Gallery, is a partnership between Visions Museum of Textile Art and La Jolla Historical Society. (Pablo Mason)

Q: Any favorite pieces that you’d like to point out? 

Clifford Yahyai: This is such a hard question to answer! I think Maryam Bayat’s pieces, made from repurposed Persian rugs, are incredibly unique and fascinating to see. I also love Michelle Montjoy’s wall of “Sighs” for the way it perfectly balances softness and sharpness, and Christine Lee’s “Winter is the New Summer” for its photochromic properties and the way it transforms with light. My favorite piece to install was the Kente cloth, and I drew inspiration from El Anatsui’s work in the way I approached its presentation.

Q: Lastly, when viewers walk out of the Wisteria Cottage Gallery, what is it you hope they take away from having just seen the exhibition? 

Bruins: I hope they walk away inspired by the ways textiles have been used, and are still being used, to tell stories when words fail to get through.

Lockhart: I think visitors will be surprised by the quiet power of these pieces to speak to us in ways they might not expect, as well as how textiles can be tools to share both deeply personal histories and more universal messages.

“Stories in Cloth: Communicating Through Textiles,” now on view through Sept. 6 at the La Jolla Historical Society’s Wisteria Cottage Gallery, is a partnership between Visions Museum of Textile Art and La Jolla Historical Society. (Pablo Mason)
“Stories in Cloth: Communicating Through Textiles”

A partnership between Visions Museum of Textile Art (VMOTA) and La Jolla Historical Society 

When: Through Sept. 6

Where: La Jolla Historical Society, 780 Prospect St., La Jolla

Admission: Free

Phone: 858.459.5335

Online: lajollahistory.org