Young Women Fibre Artists Project 2026
Fibre art has long occupied a contested space in the contemporary art world. Textile traditions, including embroidery, applique, quilting, patchwork and weaving, carry centuries of knowledge, memory, and meaning. Yet these media have historically been dismissed as craft rather than art, and the women who practice them have rarely received the recognition they deserve. This project seeks to change that narrative.
Stitched Feminine Voices...
is a collaborative artistic initiative that brings together a selected group of young women artists to create original works using fibre-based techniques. The project invites these artists to explore themes of sustainability, agency, cultural identity, history, politics, and economic reality through the language of thread, cloth, and textile. Participants are encouraged to draw from their own lived experiences and communities, using fibre not merely as a material but as a vehicle for storytelling, protest, remembrance, and imagination.
The project is rooted in a simple but urgent conviction. The art world remains deeply shaped by gender, and fibre art remains one of its most gendered and undervalued fields. By centring the voices and practices of young women, this initiative creates space for a new generation of artists to claim their place within contemporary art on their own terms. It challenges the artificial hierarchy that separates fine art from textile art and insists that fibre is a powerful medium for serious artistic inquiry. The project Stitched feminine voices is an annual artistic project dedicated to cultivating and empowering young women with a passion for fibre art. Established as an ongoing programme rather than a single event, it provides a sustained platform for young women artists to develop their creative practice, find their voices, and claim their place within the contemporary art world.
Throughout the programme, participating artists will receive mentorship, studio access, and critical engagement with established practitioners and scholars. Each artist will develop a body of work accompanied by a personal artist statement that articulates their creative vision and concerns. The project will culminate in the production of a fully illustrated catalogue featuring each artist's work, statement, and a short biography of no more than one hundred words, providing a lasting document of their practice and contributions. This exhibition project is an investment in the futures of young women artists who are reshaping what contemporary art can be, stitch by stitch.
Eligibility
This project is open to young women with an interest in fibre art who are part of a school, college, or institution where an Exploring Visual Culture (EVC) member works. EVC members and partner institutions are warmly encouraged to share this invitation with their students and wider communities.
Submission Requirements
Each participant should submit the following:
- A high-resolution photograph of the artwork (600dpi)
- An artist statement of no more than 250 words
- A short biography of no more than 100 words
- Credit line information in the following format: Name of Artist, Title of Work, Year Produced, Medium(s), Size
- A passport-sized photograph of the artist
All materials should be sent to:
Submission Deadline: August 21, 2026
Exhibition and Catalogue
Selected works will be presented through an online virtual exhibition, ensuring broad accessibility and visibility for participating artists. A project catalogue will be published on the EVC and UEW websites, featuring each artist's work, artist statement, biography, and credit line information. This catalogue serves as a document of the artists' practice and a celebration of their contributions to contemporary fibre art.