What role does fabric sculpture play in pluriversal cosmologies?
Fabric sculpture serves as a profound medium within pluriversal cosmologies, bridging the tangible and the spiritual through its tactile and visual language. In many indigenous and non-Western traditions, textiles are not merely decorative but carry deep cosmological significance, weaving together stories of creation, ancestry, and the interconnectedness of life.
For instance, Andean weaving practices encode cosmological principles in their patterns, reflecting the harmony between humans, nature, and the divine. Similarly, West African adinkra cloths use symbolic motifs to convey philosophical and spiritual truths, embedding pluriversal worldviews into everyday objects.
In contemporary art, fabric sculpture continues to challenge monolithic narratives by centering marginalized perspectives. Artists like El Anatsui and Yinka Shonibare employ textiles to critique colonialism and globalization, reimagining cosmologies through reclaimed materials.
Ultimately, fabric sculpture in pluriversal cosmologies acts as a vessel for cultural memory, resistance, and re-enchantment, inviting viewers to engage with alternative ways of knowing and being.
