How do artists use fabric to explore entropy and material decay?
Artists have long employed fabric as a medium to explore themes of entropy and material decay, capturing the fleeting nature of existence. By manipulating textiles through processes like fraying, burning, or chemical treatments, they create works that embody transformation and deterioration. These techniques highlight the fragility of materials, mirroring the inevitable breakdown of all things. From delicate lace disintegrating over time to stitched fabrics unraveling, these pieces evoke a sense of impermanence. Contemporary artists like Annette Messager and Sheila Hicks use fabric to question permanence, blending beauty with decay. Through textile art, they invite viewers to reflect on time, loss, and the cyclical nature of life.
