Refreshingly intimate: “Small Expressions” at the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum

“Small Expressions” is a traveling exhibit supported by the Fiber Trust, currently on display until August 6 on the second floor of the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum. This exhibit is an annual juried opportunity for artists creating small-scale contemporary works in any fiber medium. The pieces on display were carefully selected by the Handweavers Guild of America for their intimacy of design, thought-provoking expression, and visual intricacy. The featured works showcase a wide variety of textile techniques, including both traditional and nontraditional materials. These include the techniques of basket-making, bead-weaving, embroidery, felting, interlacing, mixed media, and weaving.

This exhibition stands in surprising contrast to the usual art shows we encounter, which present us with giant pieces and sweeping concepts that can be overwhelming at times. Here, the approach is refreshingly intimate and the presentation is spacious. The works themselves are small, delicate creations that require individual attention and contemplation.

The gallery's layout seems deliberately minimalist, with a long wooden bench positioned at the center of the room, flanked by the displays set opposite of each other. This arrangement compels visitors to approach the works closely, inviting a slow and deliberate engagement. The physical act of leaning in and drawing nearer becomes an act of attentiveness, encouraging viewers to be present with themselves and the subtle details within each piece.

“Cup and Saucer” by Eden Quispe is an intricate and wildly made portrait that includes depictions of butterflies, flowers, a rising tornado of steam, and another even more miniature figure standing inside the cup. The woman within the piece is directly looking out at the viewer, as if to invite us into her own surrealistic world, which includes personal symbols we know nothing of yet. This invitation is given with the confidence of chaos. “We are really…. So Close…” is written on the side of the sculpture. Between two silly figures stands a circular-shaped wall featuring a hole to the other side. At first, the two animated individuals drew my attention — they seemed playful and light. Upon further inspection, they seem opposed to one another. Despite “we are really so close,” they have an obvious barrier keeping them apart. If these two were to come together, would one circle around to the other? There’s no clear answer. But the hole in the wall between them may signal hope for understanding. 

“A Crow’s Book of Poetry” by Sarah Beyer appears to be a linen journal, perhaps written from the perspective of a bird. The pages fold out from the center, and the book is fully open for everyone to see the text. Upon first glance, the pages could fool one into thinking there are many words to be read. Leaning in further, we see there is no actual text. Having no meaning or context, the text is intentionally asemic. Beyer designed the hand-stitched “text” to mimic handwriting. There is a beautiful play between the “poetry” written on the pages and the knowledge that it has no meaning. The light-hearted, looping text pattern leaves us to interpret what we might imagine a crow’s book of poetry to consist of — perhaps a meaningless mystery. 

Jackie Thomas’s “Sergeant Major,” a small object with a large life, features a very alive, uptight, and awake individual. Not exactly a human depiction, this piece resembles a tightly wound drum for the “body” and a soft cloth-like head with a mask. The artist constructs the body using cord after cord of coils in an organized pattern of deep brown highlighted with bright red. Partially made with cloth, the head is soft and wild, offering a sense of relief from the rigid structure of the body. The face is lively and awake, with very open eyes. Reading about how Thomas created this piece, I learned her husband passed away while she was making the figure. Perhaps a little of his spirit is encapsulated in the piece and continues to live there. 

“Small Expressions” is a delight to experience. The thoughtfulness of each work is apparent, as evidenced by the level of detail and the story behind each piece. For a close-up encounter, be sure to visit this beautiful display of contemporary and traditionally-crafted fiber art before it moves on to the next city. 

Jessica Vega, known in the art world as Edward Faun, has been a dedicated career artist since 2012 and an active presence in Wichita's art community since 2006. In addition to her artistic practice, she serves as a project manager for creative events, blending her passion for art with a talent for event coordination. Her works focus on memory and navigating the world without sinking.