Talking Threads: Barbara Klunder | Feature Gallery Exhibition Preview

After her successes with her hand-knits, paper-cuts, and carpets, which are in the ROM and AGO permanent and private collections, Barbara Klunder has been using embroidery to scream her concerns about the destruction of our planet.

A Multi-awarded graphic designer, political cartoonist, and eco-warrior who has taught herself embroidery, Barbara Klunder, will be showing at Abbozzo’s feature gallery. The show will include 5 tapestries and a sofa that are inspired by Aesop’s Fables, the Bible and other Folktales. It opens to the public on October 13th with an Opening Reception the same day from 5-8pm. It closes on November 11th, 2023.

Barbara Klunder is an eclectic artist, gifted in many genres and media. Her textile career started when her hand-knit sweaters were selected by Vogue Magazine and placed in Saks Fifth Avenue that same day. This paved the way for her illustration and textile career as she went on to produce hand-knit sweaters, hand-hooked rugs, two fonts distributed internationally, illustrated books, posters and logos for clients ranging from the legendary BamBoo Club on Queen West in Toronto, theatre sets and costumes, jazz festival posters, and hundreds of T-Shirts designs for various causes and clients including one for the Rolling Stones VooDoo Lounge tour in 1995.

Her work is in the collections of the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Textile Museum and other institutions across Canada. She is well known for her commitment to environmental causes. In that vein she has written and illustrated Other Goose: Recycled Rhymes for Our Fragile Times published by Groundwood Books. She lives offshore, on Toronto Island.

After her successes with her hand-knits, paper-cuts, and carpets, which are in the ROM and AGO permanent and private collections, she has been using embroidery to scream her concerns about the destruction of our planet. Though she’s explored various mediums, what stayed consistent with her style was her use of bright vivid colours, animals and playful creatures, and elaborate detailing.

With her curious and whimsical approach, Klunder says she finds inspiration in everything. From art shows and magazine illustrations, all the way to history or recent events. She’s also mentioned specific influences from other textile artists such as Eva Hess, Vivienne Westwood, and Paul Gautier, Picasso’s sculptures and Hieronymus Bosch’s painting which can be clearly seen in her attention to detail.