Robin Kang (b. 1981) is from the United States and is inspired by her southwestern Texas upbringing, Robin Kang reinterprets the tradition of weaving within a contemporary context. Utilizing a digitally operated Jacquard hand loom, the contemporary version of the first binary operated machine and argued precursor to the invention of the computer, she hand weaves tapestries that combine ancient symbolism, computer related imagery, and digital mark making. The juxtaposition of textiles with electronics opens an interesting conversation of reconciling the old with the new, traditions with new possibilities, as well as the relationship between textiles, symbols, language, and memory. Kang has exhibited internationally.
Recent institutional shows include the Queens Museum, the Essl Museum, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, U.S Embassy in Saudi Arabia and Brooklyn Academy of Music, among others.
Solo exhibitions include, Recovery Patterns, TFNF, Dumbo Archway, BK, NY (2018); Active Circuit, Arts Brookfield commission for 300 Madison Ave., NY, NY (2018); Active Circuit, The Grace Building, NY (2017); Skywoman’s Secret Circuit, Outlet, Brooklyn, NY (2016); Stitch & Pixel, MaxMara, Brussels, Belgium (2016) and VOLTA NY, Field Projects, NY, NY (2016).
Group exhibitions include, 'Uprising', Schloss Görne, Berlin, Germany (2022); Art Brussels, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Brussels, Belguim (2019); Salon Zurcher, Mathilde Hatzenberger Gallery, Zurcher Gallery NY, NY (2019); Material Art Fair, Claudia Huiza Presents, Mexico City, Mexico (2019); Over, Under, Forward, Back, Arlington Arts Center, Arlington, VA (2019); NY Abstract Now, Mathilde Hatzenberger Gallery, Brussels, Belgium (2019); Magic Circle, Kunstraum Niederösterreich Gallery, Vienna, Austria (2018); Material Turn Exhibition & Symposium, FOFA Gallery, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada (2018); Italicized Reality, Sardine, Brooklyn, NY (2018); [Extra]terrestre(s), Cabane Georgina, Marseille, France (2018) and Summer of Love, Freight + Volume, NY, NY (2018).
Recent institutional shows include the Queens Museum, the Essl Museum, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, U.S Embassy in Saudi Arabia and Brooklyn Academy of Music, among others.
Solo exhibitions include, Recovery Patterns, TFNF, Dumbo Archway, BK, NY (2018); Active Circuit, Arts Brookfield commission for 300 Madison Ave., NY, NY (2018); Active Circuit, The Grace Building, NY (2017); Skywoman’s Secret Circuit, Outlet, Brooklyn, NY (2016); Stitch & Pixel, MaxMara, Brussels, Belgium (2016) and VOLTA NY, Field Projects, NY, NY (2016).
Group exhibitions include, 'Uprising', Schloss Görne, Berlin, Germany (2022); Art Brussels, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Brussels, Belguim (2019); Salon Zurcher, Mathilde Hatzenberger Gallery, Zurcher Gallery NY, NY (2019); Material Art Fair, Claudia Huiza Presents, Mexico City, Mexico (2019); Over, Under, Forward, Back, Arlington Arts Center, Arlington, VA (2019); NY Abstract Now, Mathilde Hatzenberger Gallery, Brussels, Belgium (2019); Magic Circle, Kunstraum Niederösterreich Gallery, Vienna, Austria (2018); Material Turn Exhibition & Symposium, FOFA Gallery, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada (2018); Italicized Reality, Sardine, Brooklyn, NY (2018); [Extra]terrestre(s), Cabane Georgina, Marseille, France (2018) and Summer of Love, Freight + Volume, NY, NY (2018).
Highlights and Collections
Kang has received numerous awards and residencies including a Collaboration with Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco to create a natural dyed, handwoven, eco-friendly clothing line, Chauaytire, Peru (2019); DNA Residency, Provincetown, MA (2018); Tinkuy: Gathering of the Textile Arts, International Weaving Conference, Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco and Andean Textile Arts, Cusco, Peru (2018); the 2017 NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship Grant and has participated in artist residencies in Texas, Michigan, Massachusetts, and Beijing.
Publications
Press for her work has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, The New York Times, Curate L.A, ArtNews, Artnet, Hyperallergic, White Hot Magazine, Artspace, Aesthetica Magazine, and ArtFCity.com. Kang is the founder and director of Penelope, a artist-run project space in Ridgewood, Queens, and also an Adjunct Professor in the Fiber and Material Studies Department at Tyler School of Art, teaching courses in digital weaving and fabric dyeing.
Kang has received numerous awards and residencies including a Collaboration with Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco to create a natural dyed, handwoven, eco-friendly clothing line, Chauaytire, Peru (2019); DNA Residency, Provincetown, MA (2018); Tinkuy: Gathering of the Textile Arts, International Weaving Conference, Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco and Andean Textile Arts, Cusco, Peru (2018); the 2017 NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship Grant and has participated in artist residencies in Texas, Michigan, Massachusetts, and Beijing.
Publications
Press for her work has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, The New York Times, Curate L.A, ArtNews, Artnet, Hyperallergic, White Hot Magazine, Artspace, Aesthetica Magazine, and ArtFCity.com. Kang is the founder and director of Penelope, a artist-run project space in Ridgewood, Queens, and also an Adjunct Professor in the Fiber and Material Studies Department at Tyler School of Art, teaching courses in digital weaving and fabric dyeing.