Stitching to Survive

Although Armenians are famed for their beautiful religious art—church architecture, illuminated manuscripts, and intricate khatchkars (stone crosses)–the most common form of artistic expression was through their textiles, a far more ephemeral medium. From time immemorial, Armenian women have created and ornamented clothing and created works that delighted the eye of the wearer and viewer. Often times, a bride’s worth and reputation were judged by this handiwork.

The works on exhibit showcase a sampling of different genres of women’s art created in the last century. Embroidered clothing, exquisite laces, knitted socks, household furnishings, knotted rugs, and other pieces both domestic and commercial are paired with more recent works by Armenian-American women. These immigrants continued to practice embroidery and traditional crafts, but also used new mediums to express their creativity: crochets, needlepoint, and political banners joined older forms of needlework.

The art of doll making, once specifically intended for children, became a way to articulate dépaysement, the yearning for one’s homeland. Dolls increasingly acted as a surrogate to celebrate the lost traditions of folk dress that once adorned Armenian women, identifying their ethnicity, social class, and region of origin.

The Museum houses the largest collection Armenian textiles in North America, including the singular works on display here—each an artistic expression from women in the Armenian homeland and the Diaspora.