Robin Kang

Robin Kang is an artist, weaver, curator, and student of ancient spiritual lineages. Her art reclaims the historic practice of weaving as a computational craft.

“Obsidian Butterfly, 2023”

Hand Jacquard woven cotton, holographic lurex, chenille, and mixed materials. 55” X 120”

“Personal Energetic Core, 2021”

Hand Jacquard woven cotton, holographic lurex, chenille, and mixed materials. 56” X 72”

“Isla Tortugua, 2021”

Hand Jacquard woven cotton, holographic lurex, chenille, and mixed materials. 53” X 92”

“A Place To Kneel, 2020”

Hand Jacquard woven cotton, golden metallic lurex, raffia, and mixed materials. 27” X 52”

“Secret Circle, 2018”

Hand Jacquard woven cotton, alpaca, hand dyed wool, chenille, and mixed materials. 27” X 53”

“Conductive Path, 2018"

Hand Jacquard woven cotton, hand dyed woll, chenille, and mixed materials. 27" X 53"

“The Tinder Shaman, 2021"

Hand Jacquard woven cotton, hand dyed wool, chenille, metallic lurex, mohair, and peacock feathers. 56" X 72"

“Crystalline Plasma, 2024"

Hand Jacquard cotton, plant dyed yarns, chenille, and mixed materials. 14" X 23" X 1"

“Astral Amplifer, 2024"

Hand Jacquard woven cotton, plant dyed yarns, chenille, and mixed materials. 14" X 23" X 1"

“Mushroom Circuit, 2019"

Hand Jacquard woven cotton, holographic lurex, chenille, and mixed materials. 16" X 20" X 1"

“Gridkeeper, 2019"

Hand Jacquard woven cotton, holographic lurex, chenille, and mixed materials. 16" X 20" X 1"

“Noise Gate, 2018"

Hand Jacquard woven cotton, golden metallic lurex, raffia, and mixed materails. 16" X 20" X 1"

“Ripple Rejection, 2018"

Hand Jacquard woven cotton, golden metallic lurex, raffia, and mixed materials. 16" X 20" X 1"

Bio

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 mythic symbolism, computer related imagery, and digital mark making. The juxtaposition of textiles with electronics opens conversations of reconciling old traditions with new possibilities, as well as the relationship between textiles, symbols, language, and memory. Honoring the sacred histories of textile arts, Kang has studied ancient techniques with Mayan, Quechua, and Scandinavian weavers and has been initiated into the Amazonian Shipibo-Conibo tradition to learn the mystical techniques of the lineage.

Recognized by a 2017 NYFA Fellowship in Craft/Sculpture, Robin has exhibited at BAM, Queens Museum, Newcomb Museum of Tulane, Essl Museum Vienna, MCA Chicago, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Kunstraum Niederösterreich, VOLTA, NADA, MaxMara Brussels, Art Brussels, LVL3 Chicago, Yours Mine & Ours, Concordia University, Beverly’s and the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia, among other international galleries and venues. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, ArtInfo, ArtNews, Brooklyn Magazine, WhiteHot Magazine, and Hyperallergic. Kang earned an MFA from the SAIC, and has taught fiber arts at Tyler School of Art, Parsons, and RISD. Also a Reiki master and Sound Healer, Kang is an Initiatic student of Maestro Manuel Rufino, a Santo Daime Fardada, and an Ollintlahuimetztli & Nanixitemikimetzli Moondancer.