John Paul Morabito’s exhibition “Madonna dei Femminellə” is set to open at the Kent State University Museum, showcasing a series of tapestries that blend traditional Italian art with contemporary themes. The exhibition, part of Morabito’s “Magnificat” series, explores the artist’s identity as a queer person and Catholic Italian American.
Morabito’s work reimagines paintings by Italian old masters, adapting them into tapestries woven on a digital jacquard loom. The artist incorporates glass beads into the pieces, evoking both the splendor of Catholicism and the sensibilities of camp. By choosing textiles as a medium, Morabito challenges the historical hierarchy that has often placed painting above other art forms.
The tapestries feature technically sophisticated weaving techniques, visible in chevrons, zigzags, and meanders. Morabito’s choice of tapestry as a medium serves both aesthetic purposes and advocates for the visibility of communities struggling for recognition and acceptance.
Morabito’s work has gained international recognition. In 2024, they were named a United States Artists Fellow for their contributions to weaving and contemporary art. Their pieces have been exhibited in venues across the United States and internationally, including the Zhejiang Art Museum in Hangzhou, China.
The artist’s work is represented in public and private collections, including the North Carolina Museum of Art and the Musée des Maîtres et Artisans du Québec in Montréal, Canada. Morabito holds degrees from the Maryland Institute College of Art and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Patricia Sweetow Gallery in Los Angeles represents Morabito’s work. The exhibition at Kent State University Museum is sponsored by Janice Lessman-Moss, with the museum receiving operating support through a sustainability grant from the Ohio Arts Council.
The exhibition “Madonna dei Femminellə” will run from March 21 to June 22, 2025, at the Kent State University Museum. A reception and artist talk is scheduled for March 20th at 5:00 pm.
