The Chicago Art Institute is displaying recent textile acquisitions through September 5, 2016. The exhibition includes both contemporary and historical works. Here are a few of the pieces I found most interesting:
Michael Olszewski's layered structures are reminiscent of scrapbook pages, combining text and text references with bits of cloth on knitted grounds.
Michael Olszewski, The Clearing, 2008
Francisco Toledo combines humor and pattern in this lazer-cut felt puzzle.
Francisco Toledo. Gusanos (Worms), 2013.
Lissy Funk embroiders mysterious letter-like symbols over landscape topography:
Lissy Funk, 1977
Of course, I'm drawn to the work that references text, includes pattern, and entices the viewer with ambiguous imagery that seems just outside my understanding.