Mini 2023

Fashion Show

Micro 2023

Fibremen 7

Scythia 2024

Organizer of the exhibition is Ludmila Egorova, organizer of the International Biennial of Contemporary Textile Art “Scythia”, member of the National Artists’ Union of Ukraine, member of European Textile Network. 33 artists from 14 countries took part in the exhibition: Australia, Canada, Great Britain, France, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkey, Ukraine, USA. At the exhibition were represented works, made with different textile materials, techniques and technologies - from traditional to modern, from 2D to 3D. The exhibition was introduced at the 16th Conference of the European Textile Network in Kaunas.

Historically women and the textile media have always been closely linked. Even in the words, which are used to describe the art works done by women we feel preferential role of women. Delicate, tiny, small... Can men make tiny, delicate art works? Frequently the word - simple - is used in description of art works done by women. Simple sample, simple pattern... Simple for whom? Can be this pattern simple for men?

Such women-like terminology devalues the works done by women and diminishes the real status of any textile work.

The role of men in Ukraine is not traditionally connected with textile media, like in most countries of the world. But there are still men in textile art world, who have made outstanding success. The amount of men in textile art is strong enough everywhere in the world.

But it is undeniable that the majority of textile artists are still women. There is still in the world wave of women textile exhibitions. But today it is more and more common to see men expressing their experience of being male in this world though their textile art works. They weave, sew, embroider, make quilts, and make innovative fabrics. They work in fashion and textile industries. Lots of them are curators, lecturers of prestigious universities. This list of men's achievements in the sphere of textile is unlimited.

This exhibition gave an exhibition space for the men-textile artists. This exhibition for that, who continue to pursue their work and have success in the world of art.

William Pollack in his book "Real Boys" wrote: "Society is judging the behavior of boys against outmoded ideas about masculinity. By placing a boy in this gender straight jacket, society is limiting his emotional range." As a project founder I don't want in any way to limit men in their emotional range and in creativity. So no limits as for textile techniques and textile materials.

Ludmila Egorova

Founder and organizer of the project "SCYTHIA"