GGA Completes Compelling Radical Textiles Exhibit for AGSA
- GGA
- Apr 13
- 2 min read
From 23 November 2024 - 30 March 2025, the Radical Textiles Exhibit at the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA) examined the power of fabric arts – During the event, patrons were able to enjoy a unique journey through time where the world witnessed scenes of activism, identity, and social change!
From protest banners and AIDS memorial quilts to bold fashion designs by Vivienne Westwood and Issey Miyake, the exhibition sought to redefine textiles as tools of rebellion and expression by weaving history, art, and community into one seamless experience. GGA is proud to have worked in design partnership again with AGSA to bring this exhibition to life!
This world-class exhibition offered a glimpse of some rarely shown pieces from AGSA’s own collection, as well as pieces sourced from NGA and Government House showcasing over 150 works, including 38 living South Australian artists alongside 7 new commissions.
Framed around five themes Revival, Reconciliation, Resistance, Remembrance and Radical Bodies, the exhibit portrayed fascinating insights into the unexpected role that fabric arts play in our society. The Radical Textiles exhibition showcased over a century of political and social change while engaging with a wide variety of audiences including the craft community, Queer community, activists, makers, designers, artists and the Deaf community.
Drawing from the Gallery’s collection, major loans and new works, the curatorial team worked closely with GGA to realise a bold, dynamic exhibition design which took the audience on a journey about the radical power of textiles across quilting, tapestry, knitting, soft sculpture and fashion. Enlivening the curatorial premise, the GGA team used colour as conduit for the exhibition design with the use of bright political reds, soft fleshy hues and party purple to tell the story of radicalism from protest to performance. The immersive visitor experience is thanks to the daring vision and vibrant design by the GGA team.
Rebecca Evans and Leigh Robb
- Client statement for AIA awards
Across the four-month exhibition period, the gallery provided a rich program of events to engage local and visiting audiences including seminars, accessible tours, craft revival, sustainable fashion and children’s workshops facilitated by local makers, deepening Adelaide’s rich cultural life.
GGA team: Paul Gillett, India Allan, Daniel Grilli
Photography: Saul Steed
