Exhibition

Soft/Cover

October 9, 2024–August 17, 2025

A gallery installation photo showing three umbrellas installed at various ends of a triangular armature with other garments and artworks installed on the floor or wall nearby.
“Soft/Cover” (installation view), The Fabric Workshop and Museum, Philadelphia. Photo credit: Carlos Avendaño..

Soft/Cover surveys the many surprising ways artists have used fabric and screenprinting to create objects that relate to the body. Focusing on the relationship of textiles to fashion and architecture, the exhibition includes new and rarely-shown works from The Fabric Workshop and Museum’s collection—each created by Artists-in-Residence in collaboration with FWM’s Studio team.   

Founded in 1977, FWM has dedicated nearly five decades to helping artists experiment, often introducing them to textiles and the process of silkscreen on fabric. This creative journey has historically changed the direction of an artist’s practice by emphasizing new materials and techniques.  

Soft/Cover draws inspiration from some of the Workshop’s earliest residencies in the late 1970s and early 1980s. During its first decade, celebrated artists such as Richard Tuttle, Lynda Benglis, Roy Lichtenstein, Vito Acconci, Louise Nevelson and many others benefited from intensive three-week opportunities to explore the possibilities of screenprinting. Artists-in-Residence have created wearable objects from everyday workwear to costumes, suits, dresses, and pants. While their works primarily focused on the body, these artists also expanded beyond garments to design upholstery, bedding, umbrellas, furniture, room dividers, large-scale installations, and even a tent.  

Eight new resident artists were commissioned for this exhibition to further this creative endeavor and actively contribute to FWM’s archive: Julia Chiang, Brendan Fernandes, John Killacky, Aimee Koran, Mildred Beltré Martinez, Borna Sammak, Jenny Walton, and Armando Veve.  The cohort worked closely with FWM’s team of in-house studio artists to create new garments, furniture, shelters, and more. True to the Workshop’s history, the residencies have opened pathways for these artists’ ideas, introducing new materials and forms to their ever-evolving practices.  

Location

The Fabric Workshop and Museum
1214 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

First, Second, and Third Floor Galleries

Plan Your Visit

Included with free admission
Suggested donation of $5

Free Tickets

Opening Celebration

Thursday, December 12, 6:00–8:00 pm

RSVP

Art in This Exhibition


Artists in This Exhibition


Downloadable Media and Related Links

Download the Press ReleaseDownload the Press Release


About the Curator

This exhibition is organized by DJ Hellerman, Deputy Director & Senior Curator at moCa Cleveland (formerly FWM’s Chief Curator and Director of Curatorial Affairs), and Katy Donoghue, Editor-In-Chief of Whitewall Magazine, in collaboration with the artists and the FWM Studio team.


Support

Soft/Cover is made possible by generous support from the National Endowment for the Arts, The Pulitzer Arts Foundation, The Joy of Giving Something, Inc., and Katie and Tony Schaeffer.

Major support for The Fabric Workshop and Museum is provided by The Marion Boulton “Kippy” Stroud Foundation, The A G Foundation, The Philadelphia Cultural Fund, and the annual financial support of our board and individual donors.


Past Related Events

Happy Weekend/Art Hour
Flea Friends
October 4, 2024, 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Hand-Drawn Printed Pattern Class
Geometric and Abstract Patterns
October 9, 2024, 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Hand-Drawn Printed Pattern Class
Animal Patterns
October 16, 2024, 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Hand-Drawn Printed Pattern Class
Life Size Patterns
October 23, 2024, 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Hand-Drawn Printed Pattern Class
Self-Portrait Patterns
October 30, 2024, 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Happy Weekend/Art Hour
1980s Art Hour
November 1, 2024, 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Hand-Drawn Printed Pattern Class
Repeat Patterns
November 6, 2024, 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Happy Weekend/Art Hour
Gift Wrapping For You
December 6, 2024, 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm