RugLife, a traveling exhibition curated by Ginger Gregg Duggan and Judith Hoos Fox of c2-curatorsquared, is making its final appearance at the Pratt Manhattan Gallery on 14th Street this winter. This innovative show highlights the works of 14 contemporary artists who utilize rugs as a medium to address cultural issues encompassing religion, technology, social justice, housing, and environmental concerns. The diverse group of artists hails from various regions including the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, employing materials such as yarn, cardboard, repurposed carpets, and hair combs to transform this everyday object into a canvas for creativity.
Ukrainian artist Oksana Levchenya creates traditional kylym rugs, a weaving technique that dates back to the 16th century, while infusing modern imagery that merges folk art with contemporary culture. In her piece "Pac-Man and Cossacks" (2022), Levchenya uses humor and hybrid symbolism to depict historic Cossacks in a playful battle against the iconic Pac-Man, provoking deeper thoughts on cultural icons.
Sonya Clark draws inspiration from Black hair design and cultural symbolism, reimagining the rug as a sculptural statement. Her artwork "Comb Carpet" (2008), crafted from numerous black plastic combs, serves as a powerful expression of cultural identity, reflecting Clark's African American, Caribbean, and Scottish heritage while addressing themes of racial stereotypes and ancestry.
Rugs also play a significant role in shaping our perception of space, both locally and globally. In "Grandpa's Monobloc" (2023), Ali Cha'aban envelops a standard white plastic chair in carpet, creating a poignant commentary on Arab identity and the concept of displacement. This ubiquitous chair, often found in temporary living situations, becomes a medium for the artist to honor cultural materials and elevate the narrative of displacement.
Environmental and political themes are prevalent throughout RugLife. Ai Weiwei, commissioned for the Tomorrow's Tigers project in support of the World Wildlife Fund, created "Tyger" (2022), which draws inspiration from traditional Tibetan tiger rugs while altering its orientation. Weiwei expressed, "Through the rug design, I hope to be able to do something for tigers; their existence transcends our understanding, and tragically, 95% of wild tigers have gone extinct in the last century."
The exhibition features the works of notable artists including Ai Weiwei, Azra Akçamija, Nevin Aladağ, Ali Cha'aban, Sonya Clark, Liselot Cobelens, Nicholas Galanin, Johannah Herr, Oksana Levchenya, Noelle Mason, Wendy Plomp, Stéphanie Saadé, Slavs & Tatars, and Andrea Zittel.
RugLife will be on display at Pratt Manhattan Gallery from February 6 through May 23, 2026. A public reception is scheduled for Thursday, February 5, from 6 to 8 PM. Originally launched at the Museum of Craft and Design in San Francisco, California, the exhibition has traveled to the Weatherspoon Museum of Art at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, and the Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, before arriving in New York City.
