Anni Albers @ Dovecot Studios

Exhibitions that display a seminal artist alongside the works they have since inspired always make for interesting fare, and with an artist as revolutionary as Anni Albers this inspiration is far reaching. The Dovecot Studios' display of Albers’ weavings alongside pieces from contemporary textile artists is therefore a quietly intriguing exploration of an all too undervalued artistic medium.

The first room holds a collection of Albers' weavings, maquettes, studies and jewellery, which, to a contemporary eye accustomed to the intricacies of woven materials, may seem at first underwhelming. The work here would fit seamlessly into a modern-day domestic environment but simultaneously speaks of an exciting and experimental period of design for which we have the Bauhaus to thank. As a result, the exhibition is perhaps best suited to those who already have an appreciation for textile art and design.

The most exciting pieces of work are those inspired by industrial processes – a chainmail-esque wall covering and zinc plate embossed piece together threaten to steal the the show. But equally impressive are the more intimate maquettes and samples that have a distinct architectural quality, playing with the construction of geometric forms that evoke city skylines.

The second studio space allows us to see the impact of Albers on contemporary artists and indeed brings to light the new wave of textile visionaries. This room contains a great deal more colour, which provides a welcome change of pace, serving to emphatically introduce the viewer to the bright new world of textile design. Standout pieces from this collection are Ptolemy Mann’s striped works, harking back to the punchy use of colour in Frank Stella’s canvases, and the more thoughtful hessian structure by Dorte Behn, which is comparable to the muted colour tones and delicacy of Albers’ collection in the previous room. Fiona Mathison’s installation also provides a certain elegant grandeur to a room dominated by colour and De Stijl geometric abstraction.

In 1949 Albers was the first textile artist to have a solo exhibition at MoMA. While the collection of her works at the Dovecot Studios may appear at first unremarkable, when you consider their significant place in the history of art and design their true value becomes clear.