Creative Crossroads

The Art of Tapestry
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From around the world and across centuries, more than 20 tapestry-woven wall hangings, rugs, furniture covers, garments, and sculptural forms illustrate the creative possibilities of this technique. The selection includes historic European tapestries made by large ateliers, twentieth-century collaborations between artist and weaver, and works by solo artist-weavers who use tapestry as their creative medium.

While some designs are culturally specific, others borrow from, transform, or transcend tradition. Contemporary tapestries join historic weavings from Europe, Turkey, China, Peru, Mexico, and the American Southwest in the main gallery, complemented by a selection of smaller tapestries in the Nancy Lake Benson Thread Studio.

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North Building - Level 6
Included in general admission

Irvin Trujillo (American, b. 1954), Saltillo Shroud, 2014, wool tapestry. Neusteter Textile Collection: Funds by exchange. Copyright Irvin Trujillo. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Mark Adams (American, 1925-2006), Flight of Angels, woven by M. and Mme. Paul Avignon, 1962, wool and cotton tapestry; Neusteter Textile Collection: Gift of The E. Mark Adams and Beth Van Hoesen Adams Trust. Copyright of The E. Mark Adams and Beth Van Hoesen Adams Trust.

Composition with Three Elements, wool and cotton tapestry woven by Jacqueline de La Baume-Dürrbach, Atelier J. de La Baume-Dürrbach, Cavalaire, France, c. 1951, after a 1924-6 painting by Albert Gleizes (French, 1881-1953). Neusteter Textile Collection: Funds from the Marion G. Hendrie Endowment Trust.

Aztec statue of Chicomecóatl (Maize Goddess) made of volcanic stone

Unknown Artist, (Aztec), Chicomecóatl (Maize Goddess), A.D. 1400-1519. Central Mexico. Volcanic Stone; 17.25 x 9.125 x 3 in. Denver Art Museum, museum purchase, 1957.31.

Ason Yellowhair (Navajo, 1930–2012), Bird and Flower Pictorial Rug, 1983. Wool. The Gloria F. Ross Collection of Contemporary Navajo Weaving of the Denver Art Museum. © Ason Yellowhair

Don Leon Sandoval (American, born 1965), Las Cinco Estrellas (Five Stars), 1999. Wool warp, Churro wool weft. Denver Art Museum Neusteter Textile Collection: Funds from Mrs. McIntosh Buell, by exchange. © Don Leon Sandoval

Prayer Rug, Northeast Turkey, 1755–56. Wool. Denver Art Museum Neusteter Textile Collection: Department acquisition funds, by exchange.

Saltillo Sarape, Mexico, 1800–1859. Wool and cotton. Denver Art Museum Neusteter Textile Collection: Harmsen Collection.

Birth of the Prince of Peace, woven at an unknown Flemish workshop, probably in Tournai, 1510–30. Wool and silk. Denver Art Museum Neusteter Textile Collection: Gift of Carl A. Pforzheimer Jr. and Mrs. James P. Long.

Table Cover, Peru, mid-1700s. Wool and camelid fiber. Denver Art Museum Neusteter Textile Collection: Neusteter Institute Fund.

“Color, structure, and form are the focus of my approach to design,” said the artist. Koehler here pays tribute to the dynamic stripes of the Navajo Chief Blanket and the Diamond in the Square pattern of Lancaster Amish quilts, but translates and unites these sources into his own distinctive composition.

James Koehler (American, 1952–2011), Chief Blanket with Blocks, designed 1991, woven 2002; number 8 in an edition of 8. Hand-dyed wool; cotton. Denver Art Museum Neusteter Textile Collection: Funds by exchange from Claudia H. de Osborne and Louise Vigoda, 2002.117. © The Estate of James Koehler

Creative Crossroads: The Art of Tapestry is organized by the Denver Art Museum. It is presented with generous support from the donors to the Annual Fund Leadership Campaign and the citizens who support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).