‘Spin a Yarn’ at Guild Hall

Guild Hall in East Hampton opens the exhibition “Spin a Yarn,” which runs May 19 through July 14 in the Marks Family Gallery North. Guild Hall members are invited to an advance preview on Saturday, May 18, from noon to 5 p.m.

“Spin a Yarn,” curated by Estrellita Brodsky Ph.D., founder and director of ANOTHER SPACE, New York, with Raúl Martinez, takes its title from an expression believed to have originated in sailors’ practice of telling stories, often tall tales, while repairing ropes during long sea voyages. Delving into the complex relationship between textile labor and storytelling, the exhibition examines the use of textiles as vehicles for the preservation of memories and knowledge. The terms textile and text are derived from the Latin texere (to weave), and while Western cultures have historically prioritized the written word, many others, particularly in Latin America, have relied on a rich tradition of using threads, knots, and woven materials to record and transmit information.

“Spin a Yarn” brings together a diverse selection of fiber-based works. Some of the artists featured reflect on the weavings and feather works of pre-Hispanic cultures as precursors of geometric abstraction, while others explore and build on the embroidery and weaving techniques employed by Indigenous peoples across Latin America as a means of advocating for the protection of these communities and the environment. “Spin a Yarn” casts light on the enduring significance of fiber arts in the modernist canon and the profound impact of indigenous and pre-Hispanic weaving traditions on the development of contemporary art.

Several public programs will be presented in conjunction with the exhibition, including a Creative Lab with Sal Salandra on June 3 at 6 p.m., Spin a Yarn Open Studio and Creative Lab with Raul Martinez from May 18 to 20, noon to 5 p.m., and May 20 at 6 p.m. respectively, a conversation between Estrellita Brodsky and Joanne Pillsbury on July 15 at 6 p.m., and a weekly “Stitch & Bitch” workshop open to all who knit, crochet, embroider and sew on Thursdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m., June 6 to 27.

Guild Hall is at 158 Main Street in East Hampton. Visit guildhall.org for details.