The Golden Thread 2, a new exhibition organized by Karin Bravin and John Lee of BravinLee Programs, showcases the work of 60 contemporary fiber artists at an 18th-century mercantile building in Manhattan’s South Street Seaport neighborhood. Running until May 16, 2025, the show features a wide range of techniques including weaving, crochet, knitting, embroidery, tufting, and quilting, with pieces by artists such as Julia Bland, Lucia Engstrom, Mark Fleuridor, Sammy Bennet, Ali Dipp, Ana Maria Hernando, and Ellie Murphy. This second iteration is larger and longer than the first, which coincided with Frieze New York in 2024.
The exhibition matters because it arrives at a moment when fiber art is gaining unprecedented recognition in both museums and the art market, challenging historical associations of craft with domestic labor and femininity. By highlighting emerging and established artists, The Golden Thread 2 signals the growing visibility and commercial viability of textile-based work, as evidenced by recent museum shows like MoMA’s "Woven Histories" and the enthusiasm of curators such as Elissa Auther of the Museum of Arts and Design. The show positions itself as a timely survey that may help define the future direction of the field.