Traveling international juried exhibition 'Complexity' at Hillestad Gallery

            "Complexity," the biennial international juried exhibition presented by Complex Weavers, will be on display at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery through May 9.

            The exhibition features works employing complex weave structures that interlace threads and fibers in ways beyond plain weave. The opening reception for this touring exhibition will be 1-3 p.m. April 6 at the gallery on the second floor of the Home Economics Building, 35th Street north of East Campus Loop.

            According to the show organizers, "complex weaving is defined by the cloth produced and the mind it took to create it, not by the equipment used."

            Wendy Weiss, director of the gallery and professor of textile design in the Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design in the UNL College of Education and Human Sciences, said jurors evaluated 99 works, rating originality, weave structure, technical excellence, aesthetics and integration of design elements. Work in the show ranges from sophisticated hand-constructed apparel made from handwoven fabric to innovative wall hangings and surprising objects. Twelve prizewinners will be announced at the opening reception.

            The jurors were Alice Schlein of North Carolina, Marguerite Gingras of Quebec, Canada, and Weiss. All have published articles and books on weaving and exhibit their work internationally.

            Complex Weavers organized in 1978 when a group of weavers at Convergence, a biennial meeting sponsored by the Handweaver's Guild of America, discussed the need to have a group of weavers who worked with the brand new electronic dobby loom that was becoming available to the home weaver. The primary goal of the international organization is to encourage weavers to "develop their own creative styles, to inspire through research, documentation, and the sharing of innovative ideas."

            The Hillestad Gallery is part of the Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design in the UNL College of Education and Human Sciences. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and by appointment. Admission is free. Guest parking is available near the building and metered stalls are located in the Nebraska East Union lot. For more information, call 402-472-2911 or visit http://textilegallery.unl.edu.