“My work explores the relationship between everyday design and body regimens. By creating functional, mundane objects or their representations, I question design norms and the political dimensions of everyday items. I combine various mediums and techniques—both digital and handmade, functional and conceptual. With a background in fashion design, I use my tailoring skills to challenge the structural language of clothing, particularly because of its direct impact on the body. I incorporate traditional tailoring techniques and freeform pattern-making to expand shapes beyond the body dimensions.
My process begins with examining everyday objects and researching their design history. By manipulating color, shape, weight, and function, I alter the essence and expectations of objects that are both banal and deeply embedded with gendered symbolism. In addition to this material exploration, my research focuses on the spiritual function of objects. I focus on Jewish iconography, ritual objects, and popular symbols to propose a new religious discourse and challenge taboos surrounding sexuality. I am particularly interested in the function of these objects and their connection to gender within visual language.”
Hilla Shapira is a wearable and textile artist. Originally from Tel-Aviv, Israel, and is currently based in Brooklyn, NY. Her work deals with the relationships between common design and body regimen. By making functional mundane objects she questions design norms and the political aspects of things. She has presented her work in Israel, Europe, and the USA including: Art Basel (Miami, FL), Philadelphia Museum of Jewish Art (Philadelphia, PA), NY Textile Month (NYC, NY), Jerusalem Design Week (Jerusalem,Israel), NY Jewelry week (NYC, NY), Little Berlin Gallery, (Philadelphia, PA), Depo2015 (Pilsen, Czech Republic), Neve Schechter Gallery (Tel-Aviv, Israel), Hansen House (Jerusalem, Israel), Textile Arts Center (Brooklyn, NY) and Wasserman Projects (Detroit, MI). She was AIR in Carrizozo residency (Carrizozo, NM), Popps Packing (Hamtramck, MI), Makerspace (Brooklyn, NY) and Neve Schechter center (Tel-Aviv, Israel). She received her BFA in Fashion from Bezalel Academy, Jerusalem, Israel and her MFA in Fiber from Cranbrook Academy, Bloomfield-Hills MI, USA. Shapira's work had been featured in different publications including: Hyperallergic Magazine, NY Jewish Week, Metalsmith Magazine, Portfolio Magazine, Haaretz, and the Jerusalem Post.
We welcome Hilla to the studio as our June WIP resident!
You can visit her studio on Sundays from 2pm to 5pm.
Textile Arts Center’s Work in Progress (TAC WIP) is a window into the studio practice of contemporary artists and designers that engages the public in a dialogue with the field of textiles.