Trnava | re‑(t)exHile

After its initial presentation at the Lagos Biennale 2024, this phase explores the cyclical journey of second-hand textiles re-entering the Global North, highlighting the processes of waste, reuse, and the environmental and social impacts of fast fashion.

This phase shifts the focus from the Global South to the Global North, examining the consequences of textile waste and its global implications. At Galéria Jána Koniarka v Trnave, re-(t)exHile invites reflection on Europe’s role in the textile waste crisis, fostering dialogue between diverse cultural contexts.

The installation in Trnava is a large-scale, evolving work created in collaboration with local communities, including the School of Design in Bratislava. Textiles collected from Lagos and Slovakia will be woven together, symbolizing the fusion of two cultures and the global scale of textile waste.

As part of the exhibition, a swap market will invite the public to exchange second-hand clothes, challenging consumption patterns. A collective sewing workshop will also engage visitors in the creation of new textile pieces, reinforcing the collaborative nature of the project.

Additionally, talks with local experts, activists, and artists will address the urgent issues of textile waste, fast fashion, and sustainability, deepening the conversation on the global crisis and the role of collective action.

This exhibition in Trnava marks a pivotal moment in the European journey of re-(t)exHile, reflecting on the re-importation of textile waste and fostering collaborations across regions and disciplines to address the global textile waste crisis.