In person / Workshop / Knotting
“When I first began exploring textile-making as a fiber artist, I was overwhelmed by the sheer complexity of techniques like knitting, weaving, and crochet. Each one comes with its own deep and structured system—often intimidating to beginners. In contrast, most people, regardless of crafting experience, already know how to tie a knot. You may not have made a tapestry, a sweater, or a pillow cover, but you’ve likely knotted your shoelaces, tied a plastic bag, or secured a bundle. And there is so much more we can create than we thought, using this everyday technique—knotting.”
—Ollie Hongji Li, Fiber Artist
This workshop starts from that simple, universal act—knotting—as a point of entry into the rich and layered world of fiber art. Instead of focusing on formal textile techniques, Knot or Not?! invites participants to explore fiber through a more intuitive, symbolic, and culturally resonant lens.
Held during New York Textile Month in the heart of Manhattan’s Garment District, this event brings together art, craft, and conversation in a hands-on, inclusive environment. Participants will experiment with knotting as both technique and metaphor—using cord and rope, and found objects to create personal, expressive and decorative fiber works. Together, we’ll explore traditional and contemporary aspect of textile art and reflect on how something as ordinary as a knot can hold meaning, memory, and power.
No prior experience is needed—just curiosity, open hands, and a willingness to tie things together. At the end of the Class, every participants will have their knotty artwork to go home: keyring, earrings, necklace, and knotty drawing!
We will select two outstanding student artworks to be a part of upcoming art exhibition at November at Galerie Shibumi!
Ollie is a textile artist specializing in three-dimensional forms using knotting, crocheting, and natural dyeing techniques. Growing up in China as a gay man, he challenges gender stereotypes and patriarchy through anthropomorphic and biomorphic textile sculptures. His work explores the fluidity of gender roles, blending traditional craft with unconventional materials like electric wires to subvert power structures. Ollie earned his MFA in Textiles from Parsons School of Design (2023) and a BA in Printed Textiles from the University of Southampton. He received the 2023 Surface Design Association’s Creative Promise Award and was a finalist for the Dorothy Waxman Prize. Ollie is currently in Bandung Residency Program in New York.