Textile? Sorry, not for men

Artists analyse the society and provide us with a reading of the world the way they see it.

This morning I found out that societal biases play a significant role not only in the representation that artists provide of reality but also in the exploration of the different forms of art, such as textile art.

While only 30% of artists use textiles, I learned that the majority of them are women.?

This is only one of the stunning reflections coming out from the interesting tour of the exposition currently displayed at the European Investment Bank (EIB) in Luxembourg.

I would like to thank you very much Delphine Munro for showing the G100: Mission Million Delegation the work her team does to support artists through the EIB’s artist mentoring scheme, the Artists Development Programme (ADP).?

I was indeed not aware that stereotypes permeate so deeply as to dictate the form of art an artist can choose. Textile art has historically been associated with femininity and domesticity, leading to male artists who may perceive it as incompatible with traditional masculine roles or artistic practices. As a result, the majority of artists working in textile art tend to be women.

While there is limited specific data on the representation of male artists in textile art, observations - like the one of the G100 group this morning - suggest a significant gender disparity in this area.

Of course, there are/have been notable male artists who have engaged with textile as a medium and incorporated it into their artistic practice. I found key names such as Josef Albers, Robert Morris, Grayson Perry, and Mike Kelley, but I am not an expert in this field.

I am more interested in the factors that can allow us to recognise how societal biases impact this field:

1. ?? Gendered Perceptions: Societal expectations and gender stereotypes can influence individuals' career choices and artistic pursuits. Textile art is often seen as a craft or a decorative form of art, which has traditionally been associated with women's work. This perception can discourage male artists from engaging in textile practices, leading to the underrepresentation of men in the field.
2. ?? Artistic Traditions and Education: Art education and historical art practices have often centered on disciplines such as painting or sculpture, which are traditionally associated with male artists. Textile art may receive less emphasis in formal art education, further perpetuating the bias against male artists exploring this medium.
3. ?? Cultural and Market Dynamics: Artistic preferences, cultural values, and market demands can also influence the visibility and recognition of textile art. If certain societies or art markets devalue textile-based works or prioritize other mediums, it can create barriers for male artists to enter or succeed in the field.

Efforts made in challenging and overcoming societal biases in the art world, including initiatives to promote inclusivity, diversity, and gender equality can have a positive impact on our societies.? These efforts aim to create a more balanced and equitable environment where artists of all genders can freely explore different mediums as part of their creative practice without facing social or institutional barriers.?

This is also some of the work that EIB is doing using art as a vehicle to debate and move people to action. And I would like to thank Shiva Dustdar , Director at the EIB Institute for enthusiastically accepting to receive our international Delegation today.

It is crucial to encourage dialogue, challenge gender stereotypes, and promote equal opportunities for artists of all genders so we can help dismantle societal biases and provide a platform for diverse voices and artistic expressions to thrive.

Thanks, Carmen Niethammer for being present today and reaffirming the commitment of EIB in this endeavor.

Thanks, amazing Beena Unnikrishnan for presenting her work #Y64, and Dr.Jain Joseph for supporting this work. Vasudha Arora came all the way from India with Beena and Jain to reinforce the talk about the power of art.

Every day we discover something new, and every day we have more information and tools on how to rebut gender stereotypes.

Karla Gutierrez ?? Fran?oise Falisse Women Abroad Coaching ???????? Yanet Pansini Delgado Hakan Gurel Miriam R. Krüger ART Subarna Mukherjee Swetha Sajjalgud Madhumalti Sharma, PMP ?

Thanks, Una Clifford (she/her) for creating this contact and this opportunity.