During the 1970s and 1980s weavers in Japan and other Far-Eastern countries introduced revolutionary changes, using paper and other fibers to construct flat and three-dimensional objects in what is now called “Fiber art”.
These were exhibited in Lausanne, where they inspired other weavers. In the USA in particular, weavers experimented with unorthodox fibers and techniques with great vigour and enthusiasm during this period. Sometimes they used these new methods in conjunction with the traditional tapestry technique, at other times they worked completely independently of anything that had gone before.
Many artist-weavers have remained true to the real tapestry technique, working with meticulous care and painstaking patience; others have returned to it, refreshed after using other methods.
Whatever the approach, the great merit of the artist-weavers is their ability to be both designers and producers of the cloth, creating a satisfying image from designs prepared for use with textured materials.