Deborah Kruger

My latest work focuses on the tragic losses of the 21st century, specifically the extinction of bird species and the death of indigenous languages around the world. The pieces also echo the forced migration of humans, who are similarly victims of war, poverty, famine, climate change, and habitat fragmentation.

I create feathered textile paintings, sculptures and installations inspired by murmuration, the fantastic shapes formed by the coordinated flight patterns of starling flocks. Many pieces also follow the outlines of countries and states where there are endangered bird species.

The feathers are cut from fused recycled plastic bags and then silk-screened with images from my drawings of endangered birds. The feathers are overprinted with text in endangered languages such as Tzotzil, Yakme, Shorthand and Yiddish, whose last living speakers/users are in steep decline.

The plastic feathers embed a layered narrative that addresses the global consumerism driving the loss of both bird and human habitat. I have thus been able to use my prior experience in wallpaper and textile design in the service of broad ecological and cultural concerns.

My team-based studio employs women from the local community for silk screening, productio...

Degree in Textile Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology, NY, NY.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

Steven F. Gateley Gallery, Francis Marion University, Florence, South Carolina, USA, “Avianto”, Curated by Dawn Fenimore, 2024

Joan Derryberry Art Gallery, Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, Tennessee, USA, “Avianto”, Curated by Charlene Lachicotte, 2023

Palacio de Gobierno, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, “Avianto”, Curated by Miriam Villasenorm, 2023

Centro Cultural de Chapala, Chapala, Jalisco, México, “Avianto”, Curated by Gabriela Serrano Suzán, 2022

Museo de Sitio Juan José Arreola, Ciudad Guzmán, Zapotlán el Grande, Jalisco, México, “Avianto”, Curated by Miriam Villaseñor, 2022-2023

PRPG.mx, México City, México, “Plumas”, Curated by Micheal Swank, 2021

Centro Cultural Antigua Presidencia, Chapala, Jalisco, México, “Turbulence: Birds, Beauty, Language & Loss”, Curated by Sergio Unzueta, 2018

Haus Der Kunst, San Pancho, Nayarit, México, “Halcyon”, 2010
Translations Gallery, Denver, Colorado, USA, “New Work: Fiber & Encaustic”, 2008

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

The Museum of Arts and Design, New York, New York, USA, “Recent Acquisitions”, 2024-26

PARATISSIMA, Perugia, Italy, “New Fibers”, 2024

Timeless Textiles, Newcastle, Australia, “Wings”, 2024

Handweavers Guild of America, Wichita, Kansas, USA...