SAN FRANCISCO -- What does a contemporary weaver create today? This is the thought-provoking question posed by Diedrick Brackens, a talented textile artist based in San Francisco. His latest exhibition, gather tender night, at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, provides a captivating and poignant response.
Curated by Eungie Joo, this exhibition marks Brackens' debut solo showcase in the Bay Area, coinciding with his return to the region where he earned his MFA from the California College of the Arts in 2014. The display features 15 tapestries crafted since 2020, alongside three new works from 2026, all exploring themes of personal memory, myth, and the natural environment. Brackens reflects, "Being Black, being queer, and working in a medium that's been disregarded... I feel very fully that this is my inheritance."
Using hand-dyed cotton and acrylic yarn on a loom, Brackens weaves narratives that transcend time, merging traditional techniques with innovative ideas. His work draws from a diverse array of influences, including West African weaving, California fiber art, European tapestry, and the improvisational spirit of Gee's Bend quilting. This approach fosters a rich, communal dialogue about heritage and identity.
The tapestries are elegantly displayed on wooden structures throughout the gallery, offering an immersive experience that feels almost cinematic. Each piece serves as a still frame in a larger narrative, depicting figures that lean, float, and dissolve into vibrant colors. A standout installation, clearing (2026), builds on Brackens' earlier work, Independence Day (2018), and presents a three-dimensional interpretation of weaving. Here, a scaffold-like structure creates a space that merges utility and artistry, highlighting themes of care and ritual.
Brackens' artistic philosophy is heavily influenced by his education at CCA, particularly the concept of "sloppy craft" introduced by his mentor, Josh Faught. This ethos encourages a playful irreverence, allowing for open-ended interpretations and visibility of the textile-making process. Loose threads and unfinished edges invite viewers to engage with the artwork's tactile nature, challenging conventional notions of craftsmanship.
Known for his silhouetted Black figures woven from black cotton, Brackens' work resonates with the legacies of artists like Kara Walker and Kerry James Marshall. In gather tender night, he delves deeper into the interconnectedness of the body with the natural and spiritual realms. His largest tapestry to date, Blood Compass (2023), portrays geese journeying towards a lighthouse, symbolizing the complex narratives of Black migration shaped by memory and trauma.
As visitors navigate through gather tender night, they encounter a rich tapestry of histories and experiences, where weaving becomes a medium for honoring and preserving collective memories. This exhibition, continuing through August 23, invites contemplation on the profound connections between art, identity, and community.
