Ethel Stein, Master Weaver, Receives Landmark Solo Exhibition in New York

2 hours ago7 min read1 comments

NEW YORK – Sapar Contemporary is currently hosting a landmark exhibition, 'Master of the Loom,' presenting the profound and long-overdue solo showcase of legendary weaver Ethel Stein. Celebrating an artistic career that spanned nearly a century, the exhibition honors a creator who transitioned from the world of puppetry to become a virtuoso of the loom.Stein, who initially trained under famed puppeteer Ralph Chessé, brought a deep understanding of narrative and movement to her textile work, treating each warp thread with the same intention as a puppeteer’s string. She began weaving in the 1970s, operating from her home in Croton-on-Hudson, away from the spotlight of the concurrent Fiber Arts movement.Her work is a testament to quiet dedication and masterful subtlety. Using a restored 1920s cranky jack loom, Stein composed pieces of breathtaking clarity, often employing complex double-weave techniques to create geometric patterns that radiate a quiet, internal power.A master of restraint, she frequently worked in monochromatic palettes of black and white, demonstrating that profound artistic statements are often made in whispers. This exhibition serves as a critical reappraisal, positioning Stein alongside textile greats like Anni Albers and Sheila Hicks and challenging the traditional hierarchy that separates craft from high art.It meticulously draws the connection between her puppetry background and the rhythmic, structural discipline of her weaving, where every thread functions as a character in a silent, abstract narrative. In today's fast-paced art world, Stein’s patient, cumulative practice stands as a powerful tribute to the enduring resonance of slow, deliberate creation—a legacy that, like her finest weavings, promises to grow richer with time.

#weaving

#textile art

#Ethel Stein

#artist profile

#exhibition

#Sapar Contemporary

#featured

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