‘I Can Spin Skies’
Aug 2023 -
Jun 2024
‘I can spin skies’ spans historical and contemporary textiles and art influenced by textile practices from across Asia. The exhibition takes its title from fifteenth century Persian poet Rumi’s reflection on the humble silkworm’s ability to spin the thread that makes one of the most prized fabrics in the world. Works are shown in dialogue with historical scrolls, photographs, woodblock prints and Buddhist sculpture, signifying the connections between fabric and life across time and continents.
‘I can spin skies’ is on display in QAG’s Galleries 5 & 6 (Henry and Amanda Bartlett Galleries) from 5 August 2023 to 23 June 2024. As this is a rotating exhibition, not all Collection works below will be on display simultaneously.
Feature image: Almagul Menlibayeva / Kazakhstan b.1969 / Wrapping history (detail) 2010 / Duratrans print in light box / Purchased 2010 with a special allocation from the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / © Almagul Menlibayeva /
Collection artworks featured in ‘I Can Spin Skies’
Diagonal telia rumal 1999
- BHASKAR RAO, Gunti - Creator
(Beauty on parade) c.1810
- EIZAN, Kikugawa - Creator
Niwaka festival c.1819
- EIZAN, Kikugawa - Creator
Benevolence 2013
- ENKHBOLD Togmidshiirev - Creator
100 motif telia rumal 2011
- GAJAM Govardhana - Creator
His master's voice c.1970s
- GAJAM Ramulu - Creator
Water at Komeido c.1852
- HIROSHIGE, Ichiryusai - Creator
Raqs no.2 2016
- IMANI, Zahra - Creator
Wedding day 2018
- IMANI, Zahra - Creator
Two phoenix 2005
- JOHNSON, Tim - Artist
- SMITH, Brendan - Collaborating artist
Hanuman Chalisa 2015
- JOSHI, Kalyan - Creator
Holi festival (fagh) 2015
- JOSHI, Kalyan - Creator
Village Life 2015
- KUMARI, Pushpa - Artist
- KUMAR, Pradyumna - Artist
Hairdresser c.1880
- KUSAKABE, Kimbei - Creator
Waiting to sail 2016
- LOSIN, Idas - Creator
Wrapping history 2010
- MENLIBAYEVA, Almagul - Creator
Glorious Haze 2012
- RAHBAR, Sara - Creator
Cycles (Flag #7) 2007
- RAHBAR, Sara - Creator
Geometric rumal 1997
- RAMALINGUM, Chiluveru - Creator
Hanging scroll 19th century
- DAIKO, Sogen - Creator
Naga Maedaw serpent 2018
- SOE YU NWE - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Black wolf spirit 2017-18
- SIONG, Tcheu - Creator
Ice spirit 2017-18
- SIONG, Tcheu - Creator
Bust of the Buddha c.15th century
- UNKNOWN - Creator
Buddha 2nd-3rd century CE
- UNKNOWN - Creator
Pidan mid 20th century
- UNKNOWN - Creator
Netsuke: (Daruma) 19th century
- UNKNOWN - Creator
Woman spinning cotton c.1880
- USUI, Shuzaburo - Creator
Chong Xoua 2017-18
- SIONG, Tcheu - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator
Hafiz in diaspora 2021
- TAASHA, Amin - Creator