New exhibit at Upcountry History Museum displays storytelling through 3D art

A new exhibition at the Upcountry History Museum stitches together various scenes to bring stories and art to life.

“Salley Mavor: Social Fabric” is open from April 3 until Sept. 4. The show will feature the art of Salley Mavor, an award-winning fiber artist. Mavor has developed her skill over 40 years, according to the museum.

The artist’s unique style involves the use of fiber art. Mavor has illustrated 11 children’s books with her approach.

The Upcountry Museum’s show displays the sculptural needlework of characters, props and scenery made from fabric, beads, wire and other pieces that Mavor embroidered, wrapped and bound together with hand-stitching techniques developed through what the museum describes as years of experimentation. The exhibition is presented in shadowbox frames.

“‘Social Fabric’ features of a variety of pieces Mavor has made over the past 20 years that interpret the theme of social connectivity. These works explore cultural diversity, migration, fashion, the natural world, and a range of social narratives from the everyday to topical subjects,” read a press release from the museum.

According to the release, Mavor hopes visitors to the exhibition find connections with the themes and art on display, which the museum describes as underscoring “the irony, tragedy and beauty of humanity.”