The Modern Embroidery Movement

by Cynthia Fowler

In the early twentieth century, Marguerite Zorach and Georgiana Brown Harbeson were at the forefront of the modern embroidery movement in the United States. In the first scholarly examination of their work and influence, Cynthia Fowler explores the arguments presented by these pioneering women and their collaborators for embroidery to be considered as art. Using key exhibitions and contemporary criticism, The Modern Embroidery Movement focuses extensively on the individual work of Zorach and Brown Harbeson, casting a new light on their careers. Documenting a previously marginalised movement, Fowler brings together the history of craft, art and women's rights and firmly establishes embroidery as a significant aspect of modern art.

280 pages, Hardcover

Published February 22, 2018

Reviews

[Karrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely introduction, and then deep dive into the influences on the art of Embroidery (with a capital "E"). Fowler includes many examples, influences and movements, discusses the craft of needlework, and grounds the embroidery movement to cubist and fauvist roots. Marguerite Zorach is the true focus of this book, examining her lifelong contributions and linking her tapestry art with her modern art background. Also, lucky note: Zorach grew up in Fresno, which is local to my community college in Merced, and I cannot wait to explore this amazing link.

"Painting with yarn" as many embroiderists called it, is such an exciting way to describe this movement: it's what drew Zorach to the vibrant yarns and dyes and what they could contribute to her modernist compositions. I look forward to more embroidery and textile exploration on my next museum hunt!