Diedrick Brackens: Woven Stories

Born in Texas in 1989, Brackens creates hand-crafted works that draw on techniques from West African weaving, quilting traditions of the American South, and European tapestry-making. His work explores themes of American history, African American and queer identity, allegory, and narrative.

Brackens begins his process by hand-dyeing cotton, a material chosen deliberately to acknowledge its complex and violent history. Through this medium, he presents rich and nuanced depictions of African American life and identity, while referencing the intricate histories of labour and migration. Frequently portraying moments of male tenderness, his work draws inspiration from African and African American literature, poetry, and folklore.

This exhibition continues a commitment to showcasing craftwork across various media. Brackens’s imagery resonates with the historical narratives behind many works in the collection, while visually echoing the tradition of 18th-century silhouettes.