Designing Dynamism will feature the most technically complex and visually potent of all Kuba textiles, the prestige squares. Woven by men and boys of raffia (palm leaf) fibers, the cloth is then covered with flat embroidery stitches or cut pile, resembling velvet, by women. Beyond prestige squares, the exhibition includes a variety of related objects, from elaborately decorated women’s overskirts, beaded belts, and a carved pigment box as well as recent textiles that show the persistence and impact of the Kuba aesthetic.
Kuba textile legacy:
Originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kuba raffia cloths are rich in cultural significance. Traditionally used in royal courts or funerary rites, the cloths on view primarily from the 1980s, reflect generations of craftsmanship and spiritual expression. These prestige textiles have long fascinated the global art world. By the late 19th century to early 20th century, they appeared in the European markets and were acquired by artists such as Henri Matisse, Suzanne Valadon, and Sonia Delaunay.
About the collector and exhibition designers:
All works are from the collection of Wesley Mancini, a Charlotte-based textile designer and prominent figure in the local LGBTQ+ community. Known for his discerning eye and deep appreciation for global textile traditions, Mancini has brought together one of the largest and most significant Kuba collections in private hands.
The exhibition environment is designed by Stephen Burks and Malika Leiper of the acclaimed studio Stephen Burks Man Made. Renowned for elevating handmade traditions through global and industrial collaborations, Burks and Leiper bring a dynamic, contemporary approach that expands public appreciation for Kuba design. Most recently, as exhibitors at the 2025 Architecture Biennale in Venice, US Pavilion, they presented their groundbreaking contribution Objects of Belonging. Their short documentary, In Search of Kuba, features in the future gallery of Designing Dynamism.
