Textile creativity in Ticino

Textile art triptych by Silvie Umiker

Today was my first free day to leave Milan in over a month, and what fun I had with it!

I took the train to Lugano. Only an hour away, but I felt like a traveler again. Something about trains makes me feel free and adventurous.

Lugano is always a pleasant experience. Only an hour from Milan but worlds away. Today the pleasure was enhanced by good company and inspiring art.

Four artists have created a fascinating group exhibition, demonstrating both unity and diversity in their collected works. Bea Bernasconi, Marlis Egger, Nina Novikov Brown, and Silvie Umiker are four Ticinese artists who work in textiles. The exhibition, entitled Contrasti (Contrasts) is their first together. It is hosted by the Banca Coop in Piazza Cioccaro 3, Lugano as part of their Eva program for women.

Having met all four women at textile art courses and festivals, I knew they were a creative bunch. But the show exceeded my already high expectations. Silvie patiently guided me through the exhibit, answering my questions and offering both conceptual and technical explanations of the works. We spent almost two hours wandering through the array of colors and textures, and I’m ready to go back for more.

The show is organized by colors and shapes — both contrasting and harmonizing simplicity and complexity, round and rectangular, full and empty, essential and ornamental. Silvie’s work with rusted iron is especially fascinating — layering metal and cloth, blending hard and soft.  All four women show a versatility of technique and an ability to adapt to a variety of materials and ideas. Their enjoyment in playing with the color, form, and texture of their materials is evident. I’m inspired and humbled by what they’ve created.

The exhibition is open to the public during bank hours, from 8:30 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:30, Monday through Friday, through January 9. A must-see for all art lovers and certainly an eye-opener for anyone who thinks a quilt is something to put on the bed!

For info, email contrasti@marlisegger.ch or telephone +41 79 6802932.

From left to right, works by Nina Novicov Brown, Marlis Egger, Silvie Umiker, and Bea Bernasconi