Sheila Hicks: Weaving as Metaphor

by Nina Stritzler-Levine (Editor)

“I found my voice and my footing in my small work. It enabled me to build bridges between art, design, architecture, decorative arts, crafts.”—Sheila Hicks

“Chunky and chalky, with a blind-embossed textile cover and the shaggiest deckle edges you have ever seen, Weaving as Metaphor turns heroic graphic design into an act of impersonation.”—Alexandra Lange, Curbed
 
First published in 2006, this book examines the small woven textile works produced by artist Sheila Hicks (b. 1934) over a fifty-year period. Focusing on some one hundred miniature tapestries from public and private collections, the book demonstrates the breadth of Hicks's concerns: her playful subversions of weaving traditions, her persistent inquiry into the mysteries of color, her surprising range of materials, and her exploration of new technology. The volume, designed by Irma Boom and named “the most beautiful book in the world” at the 2007 Leipzig Book Fair, includes essays by Arthur C. Danto, Joan Simon, and Nina Stritzler-Levine as well as illustrations of the artist’s working tools, related drawings, photographs, and chronology.

Published in association with the Bard Graduate Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts, Design, and Culture

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Design

416 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 2006

Reviews

[Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

well i just read this in one sitting and now all i want to do is go home and build a small wooden loom asap (and i will)

[Lyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's so perfect it brings tears to my eyes. the design, the content, her work. nothing but love.

[Michaela Anchan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll refer to this big beautiful book for years to come. A gorgeous photographic reference of hundreds of Sheila Hicks’ small weavings, printed on thick, luxurious paper and bound beautifully. The book itself is an artwork. The essay by Arthur Danto misses the mark by a mile, the rest is lovely. An absolute treasure and now out of print. Took a lot of (time and money) tracking down via Abe Books to get a copy to Germany. I adore it.

[Brian Kovesci · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how extensive this volume is, I could do without some of the essays.

[Noortje · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heel inspirerend boek voor mijn werk op school (kunstacademie)

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

book design.

[Moments of Kabir]

Its inda mix...

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary!

[mial · Rating 4 out of 5]

incredible book design and lovely experience to read, the sort of thing you can open throughout and be met with something thoughtful and well imagined