RugLife, a travelling exhibition exploring how contemporary artists are transforming the traditional rug into a powerful artistic medium, is currently on view at Pratt Manhattan Gallery. The exhibition continues until 23rd May 2026, marking the final venue of a national tour.
Curated by Ginger Gregg Duggan and Judith Hoos Fox of c2-curatorsquared, the exhibition brings together 14 artists from the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia who use textiles and rug traditions as a platform for exploring themes of identity, displacement, conservation and cultural memory.
Across the exhibition, artists push the rug beyond its traditional role as a functional object, working with materials ranging from yarn and cardboard to repurposed carpets and even hair combs. The result is a diverse body of work that reframes a historic craft form as a contemporary conceptual language.
Among the highlights is Pac-Man and Cossacks (2022) by Ukrainian artist Oksana Levchenya, which reimagines the centuries-old kylym weaving technique. The work combines traditional folk ornament with pop-culture imagery, depicting historic Cossacks battling the iconic arcade character Pac-Man.
In Comb Carpet (2008), Sonya Clark transforms hundreds of black plastic combs into a sculptural rug with the comb teeth facing upward. Drawing on traditions of Black hair design, the work reflects Clark’s African American, Caribbean and Scottish heritage while addressing themes of identity, stereotype and cultural inheritance.
Elsewhere, Grandpa’s Monobloc (2023) by Lebanese artist Ali Cha’aban reworks the ubiquitous white plastic chair by covering it entirely with carpet, transforming a familiar object often associated with temporary homes and refugee spaces into a symbol of dignity and cultural memory.
Environmental themes appear in Tyger (2022) by Ai Weiwei, created for the Tomorrow’s Tigers conservation initiative. Inspired by traditional Tibetan tiger rugs, the work draws attention to the dramatic decline of wild tiger populations.
© Thierry Bal Courtesy Ai Weiwei Studio
Artists featured in the exhibition include Ai Weiwei, Azra Akšamija, Nevin Alada?, Ali Cha’aban, Sonya Clark, Liselot Cobelens, Nicholas Galanin, Johannah Herr, Oksana Levchenya, Noelle Mason, Wendy Plomp, Stéphanie Saadé, Slavs & Tatars and Andrea Zittel.
RugLife – 23rd May 2026 Pratt Manhattan Gallery
Originally organised by the Museum of Craft and Design, RugLife has previously been presented at the Weatherspoon Art Museum and the Weisman Art Museum before arriving in New York.
All images Jason Mandella Photography
CategoriesEXHIBITIONSExhibitions – New YorkTagsAuthor 
Mark Westall is the Founder and Editor of FAD magazine –