‘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’

(Beauty on parade) c.1810
- EIZAN, Kikugawa - Creator

Benevolence 2013
- ENKHBOLD Togmidshiirev - Creator

100 motif telia rumal 2011
- GAJAM Govardhana - Creator

Raqs no.2 2016
- IMANI, Zahra - Creator

Wrapping history 2010
- MENLIBAYEVA, Almagul - Creator

Geometric rumal 1997
- RAMALINGUM, Chiluveru - 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

Buddha 2nd-3rd century CE
- UNKNOWN - 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

Water at Komeido c.1852
- HIROSHIGE, Ichiryusai - Creator

Two phoenix 2005
- JOHNSON, Tim - Artist
- SMITH, Brendan - Collaborating artist

Holi festival (fagh) 2015
- JOSHI, Kalyan - Creator

Hairdresser c.1880
- KUSAKABE, Kimbei - Creator

Cycles (Flag #7) 2007
- RAHBAR, Sara - 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

Ice spirit 2017-18
- SIONG, Tcheu - Creator

Pidan mid 20th century
- UNKNOWN - 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

Diagonal telia rumal 1999
- BHASKAR RAO, Gunti - Creator

Niwaka festival c.1819
- EIZAN, Kikugawa - Creator

His master's voice c.1970s
- GAJAM Ramulu - Creator

Wedding day 2018
- IMANI, Zahra - Creator

Hanuman Chalisa 2015
- JOSHI, Kalyan - Creator

Village Life 2015
- KUMARI, Pushpa - Artist
- KUMAR, Pradyumna - Artist

Waiting to sail 2016
- LOSIN, Idas - Creator

Glorious Haze 2012
- RAHBAR, Sara - 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

Bust of the Buddha c.15th century
- UNKNOWN - Creator

Netsuke: (Daruma) 19th century
- UNKNOWN - Creator

Woman spinning cotton c.1880
- USUI, Shuzaburo - 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
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