Abstract
The integration of textile arts into contemporary fine art has significantly challenged traditional distinctions between craft and high art while contributing to discussions on sustainability, cultural identity, and social justice. This narrative literature review examines the evolving role of textile arts in contemporary fine art through scholarly publications, exhibition catalogues, critical texts, institutional developments, and market trends from the mid-20th century to the present. The study investigates how textile arts challenge the art-craft binary and gendered hierarchies, their relationship with contemporary movements such as Feminist Art, Postmodernism, Installation Art, Conceptual Art, Social Practice, Eco-Art, and Digital Art, and the balance between conceptual expression, craftsmanship, and technological innovation. Nigeria serves as the principal case study because of its rich Indigenous textile heritage and the limited scholarly attention given to Nigerian textile practices within contemporary fine art discourse. Findings indicate increasing institutional recognition of textile arts, although challenges remain, including gender bias, cultural appropriation, limited representation in the art market, and tensions between technological advancement and the preservation of traditional techniques. The review also identifies gaps in research on Global South textile traditions and sustainable textile art practices. The study concludes that textile arts expand the conceptual and material boundaries of contemporary fine art while preserving cultural heritage, promoting sustainability, and supporting community engagement. It provides an analytical framework with implications for art education, curatorial practice, cultural policy, and contemporary artistic expression.