New York Exhibition Examines the Conceptual Evolution of Textile Art

Claire Oliver Gallery has announced a two-person exhibition titled “Certain Restrictions Do Apply,” featuring new textile works by artists Carolyn Mazloomi and Sharon Kerry-Harlan. The presentation investigates the history of Black American pioneers while expanding the narrative and formal possibilities of quiltmaking and textile art. This exhibition aims to reposition the medium from a traditional domestic craft to a rigorous practice of conceptual and political significance.

The works on view facilitate a visual conversation between two artists whose professional and personal relationship has spanned several decades. While their technical approaches remain distinct, Mazloomi and Kerry-Harlan share a commitment to storytelling through fiber, utilizing the medium to explore complex themes of race, culture, memory, and belonging. This event marks their first joint presentation in New York, reflecting a long-standing creative dialogue and mutual trust that has shaped their respective artistic journeys.

Carolyn Mazloomi’s practice is deeply rooted in social documentation and activism. As the founder of the Women of Color Quilters Network and the African American Quilt Guild of Los Angeles, she has been instrumental in shaping the national discourse regarding quilting as a respected contemporary art form. Mazloomi observes that textiles possess an inherent humanity, as the fabric itself holds the touch, time, labor, and stories of the lives depicted, serving as a voice for those who might otherwise remain unheard.

In contrast, Sharon Kerry-Harlan employs a material sensibility characterized by rust-dyed surfaces, intricate pattern languages, and the incorporation of found fabrics. Her work addresses the intersection of ancestral heritage and contemporary cosmopolitan rhythms, creating visual fields where history and modernity coexist. Kerry-Harlan describes her process as embedding echoes of the past and cultural inheritance within the fabric, allowing for both the preservation of memory and the necessary space for reinterpretation.

The exhibition underscores the role of textile art as a medium for identity affirmation and historical preservation. By integrating personal narratives with broader social histories, the artists challenge conventional perceptions of fiber art, emphasizing its capacity for intellectual and cultural engagement. The selection of works represents a dialogue between two women who have influenced one another’s practices and remain connected by a shared purpose to preserve histories through the language of stitched cloth.

“Certain Restrictions Do Apply” features nine new artworks and serves to inaugurate the gallery’s upcoming season. The exhibition will be on view at Claire Oliver Gallery from January 9 through March 7, 2026.