Current exhibitions at Washington, DC's Textile Museum include Art by the Yard: Women Design Mid-Century Britain. "The art of textile design changed radically after World War II as Britain was transformed from a country devastated by war into an optimistic consumer society. Three women designers were pivotal in this artistic revolution: Lucienne Day (1917- 2010), Jacqueline Groag (1903-1985) and Marian Mahler (1911-1983). Incorporating dramatic saturated colors and bold motifs inspired by artists like Alexander Calder and Joan Miró, these young designers transformed the market by inspiring elegant yet affordable product lines that brought the world of contemporary art into everyone’s homes."
Featuring more than 50 colorful textiles drawn from the private Jill A. Wiltse and H. Kirk Brown III Collection of British Textiles, as well as select pieces of mid-century furniture, Art by the Yard is the first exhibit of its kind in Washington, DC. Magazines from the era featuring advertisements and profiles of these celebrity designers add context to the pieces on display. The exhibition is on display in a year when high quality design on a limited budget is especially relevant. The majority of the pieces in the exhibit were created by Lucienne Day, one of Britian’s most prolific and successful female designers. Her patterns, used for wallpapers, fabrics and tea towels, contributed to a distinctive 1950s and ‘60s aesthetic. Yet her sophisticated color choices and inventive references to nature remain surprisingly fresh. In 2005 Converse launched a shoe with her design Magnetic (1957), featured in the Textile Museum exhibition. Day, who passed away January 30, 2010, launched her career at the 1951 Festival of Britain. Her furnishing fabric Calyx, with its floating forms and bright colors, resonated with consumers and launched her international career. Along with her husband, furniture designer Robin Day, Lucienne believed in modern design’s transformative power to shape a better world and sought to create beautiful, useful objects accessible to all. Britain’s answer to American designer-duo Charles and Ray Eames, the Days became the poster couple for young and stylish homeowners.
Select designs by Mahler and Groag are featured in Art by the Yard along with Lucienne Day’s work. Groag, originally from Czechoslovakia, is considered one of Britain’s most versatile designers. Her bold patterns were used for fabrics (both for the home and dress), furniture, wallpaper, and even in subway and airplane design. Mahler is renowned for her whimsical designs, with motifs ranging from birds to abstract forms. Her affordable textiles were seen in fashionable homes throughout Britain and complemented contemporary decorating styles.
As Britain’s design industry was regaining momentum, Lucienne Day, Jacqueline Groag and Marian Mahler dared to offer a fresh approach to textile design in an era dominated by male professional artists. Believing that “good design” should be available for everyone, their products shaped the national aesthetic and continue to offer artistic inspiration and delight today.
Art by the Yard: Women Design Mid-Century Britain is curated by Shanna Shelby (Curator, Jill A. Wiltse and H. Kirk Brown III Collection of British Textiles) and coordinated by Lee Talbot (Associate Curator, The Textile Museum).
Some of these Lucienne Day textiles may be ordered at Classic Textiles as well as that of Robert Stewart and Sylvia Chalmers. Jacqueline Groag's background can be found at Beloved Linens
Miniature cotton quilt pins by Leslie Bowman are available at the Textile Museum Shop in Washington, DC: Request a general color choice between reds, blues, greens, purples etc. in the customer note at checkout. Each pin is one-of-a-kind and the fabrics are printed with multiple colors and designs.
Some of the items for sale at the Washington's Textile Museum Shop include a 100% silk, handmade batik scarves by Nia Fliam, Marimekko placemats, Finnish felt coasters, Indian napkins and Randall Darwall handwoven scarves: "Randall Darwall is a handweaver and designer who has been working in New England for over thirty years. What began as an individual alone in his studio has evolved steadily into a small collaborative community of artistans creating unique textiles that speak to the individuality of the human spirit. The work has grown from a focus on small wearable accessories to include entire ensembles and even interior pieces. "
Handbags and totes include a Issey Miyake Pleat bag, a Marimekko Peacock bag and African, Navajo and Laotian designs.
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