Sheila Hicks, born in 1934, is an influential American textile designer known for her innovative approach to fibre art and for exploring the boundaries between art, design, and craft. She has made significant contributions to contemporary textile and fibre art, pushing the medium’s traditional boundaries and expanding its possibilities.
Early Years
Hicks was born in Hastings, Nebraska, and initially studied painting at the Yale School of Fine Arts. However, during a trip to South America, she became fascinated by the vibrant textile traditions she encountered, which inspired her to shift her focus towards textiles and fibre arts. She later earned a degree in weaving and textile design from Yale in 1957.
Biography
Throughout her career, Hicks has travelled extensively, immersing herself in diverse textile traditions and techniques worldwide. Her work reflects a deep appreciation for global cultures, and she has collaborated with artisans and communities to learn traditional weaving methods, dyeing techniques, and other textile processes.
In the early 1960s, Sheila Hicks began exploring weaving and fabric production in Central and South America. She drew inspiration from traditional methods and the constructivist approach of Josef Albers. During this time, she also travelled to India, where she worked in a handloom factory, gaining experience in producing commercial textiles.
One notable piece from this period is her 1968 Badagara heavy double-sided cloth. It featured deep relief and was woven by the Commonwealth Trust in Kerala, India. This fabric, which remained in production until the 1980s, was often used as a wall hanging.
In 1967, Hicks established her studio in Paris, France, called Ateliers des Grands Augustins. Along with teaching and working globally, she undertook various projects in different countries. She encouraged large-scale local production using traditional methods in Chile, Morocco, and Israel.
In Paris, Hicks created numerous large hangings and wall coverings for installations, including the conference room at the Ford Foundation Building in New York. Additionally, she worked on projects such as the 1969 conference centre for the United Arab League in Mecca and the entrance of the CB 12 tower at IBM La Défense in Paris in 1972.
Hicks’ artistic practice combines traditional textile techniques with a contemporary sensibility. She experiments with natural fibres, wool, linen, silk, and synthetic fibres, creating large-scale installations, wall hangings, sculptures, and smaller textile pieces. Her work often explores texture, colour, and form, incorporating elements of abstraction and geometric patterns.
Exhibitions
She has exhibited her work internationally, with solo shows at prestigious institutions like the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Institute of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia.
Hicks’ work has been widely recognised and awarded, including the Smithsonian Archives of American Art Medal in 2013 and the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French government in 2014.
Sheila Hicks’ artistic vision and dedication to textile art have had a profound impact on the field. Her ability to bridge the gap between fine art and craft, as well as her innovative use of materials and techniques, have made her a leading figure in contemporary textile design. Her work continues to inspire and challenge traditional notions of textile art, pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved within the medium.
Sources
Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing. https://amzn.to/3ElmSlL
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