From the exhibition press relase:
The Renaissance Society’s opening exhibit of the 1962-63 season is a dual showing of Claire Zeisler’s woven wall hangings and selected items from her outstanding collection of primitive art.
To achieve the unusual textural beauty of her hangings, Mrs. Zeisler uses the double- and triple-weave technique of the ancient Peruvians: two or three layers of fabric can be woven on one warp, with silk for weaving and wool for chain stitch crochet. With this technique, differing degrees of transparency can be achieved. These variations, combined with color, produce a strong emotional impact. A small group of these hangings attracted wide interest when shown last spring at the Chicago Public Library.
To show with her own work, Mrs. Zeisler has chosen examples of African and Oceanic sculpture, Indian baskets from the southwest United States, as well as knitted and basketry masks from Africa and the South Pacific.
