In person/ Exhibition / Multiple Techniques
7 WORDS OF HOPE: Love Joy Peace Courage Empathy Compassion Happiness
7 WORDS OF HOPE explores the profound, historically intertwined relationship between textile and text—both acting as potent systems of non-verbal communication that invite deep, individual interpretation.
A decade ago, Mary Jaeger began hand-embroidering seven specific words of hope into her one-of-a-kind accessories. Originally executed as covert gesture, quietly stitched and camouflaged within architectural pleats, each word was an intimate message intended for the wearer to physically embody. In this landmark exhibition for New York Textile Month XI, Jaeger evolves this practice, presenting a wearable collection featuring these seven words inscribed in commanding, lyrical lines, a powerful departure from her previous structural whispers.
Alongside Jaeger’s garments, eight invited contemporary artists present diverse interpretations of these core linguistic pillars across a range of media. Together, the works stand as a radical counter-narrative to our current epoch of mass markets, frenetic consumption, and the expanding anxieties of artificial intelligence. In an era fractured by global discord and political instability, 7 WORDS OF HOPE asserts the critical relevance of the handmade. By internalizing these qualities, both wearer and observer are reminded of their agency to positively influence their own realities, transforming textile art into an essential site of human resilience.
Opening: Sunday, September 6
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Artist Talks at 2:00 PM
Closing: Thursday, September 17
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
No registration required!
"The core of my work is inspired by my passion for line, color, texture, pattern, and handcrafted details."
Mary Jaeger's work is about modern elegance and rich traditions. Uncluttered textiles and accessories reflect her aesthetic, melding ancient Eastern and contemporary Western design. Drawing on years spent in Japan and other areas of Asia and Europe, she creates timeless collections of hand-dyed textiles for wearable accessories and interiors panels that seamlessly move between seasons, places, and occasions.
Located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, the Mary Jaeger Atelier is a creative studio and retail space where innovative textile designs move from conception to production. Focused on sustainability and circularity, the atelier produces one-of-a-kind and limited-edition clothing, accessories, and interior objects. Mary’s collections utilize natural fibers, shaped-resist dyeing (shibori), and three-dimensional fabric manipulation, often reimagining vintage and post-production materials. Beyond production, the atelier serves as a vibrant community hub for the textile arts, hosting hands-on workshops, international exhibitions, and panel discussions that teach new skills, explore the value of handmade work, and foster camaraderie among makers and clients.