The Shapes And Colors of America’s Textile Mills By Chris Payne

Photographer Chris Payne’s “Textiles” series documents the colors, patterns and symmetry of American textile mills. The architecturally-trained photographer, whose usual subject matter focuses on structures and buildings, turned his wide-angle lens to the textile factories across the USA, showcasing rotating sheaths of yarn, spinning thread and mountains of monochromatic fabric scraps in hyperreal shades of fuchsia, orange, purple and aqua. Says Payne of his subject matter, “Many mills are doing quite well, having modernized to stay competitive, while others have survived by catering to niche markets that value the “genuine article” produced on the original, vintage equipment. I view my work as a celebration of American manufacturing – not a eulogy.”

All images © Chris Payne