fiber and art

Generally I try to keep things beautiful and upbeat here. But lately I have found myself increasingly disgruntled about the art world and the role fiber art plays in it.

While on vacation, I visited my favorite modern art museum Louisiana, beautifully situated on the waters edge north of Copenhagen in Denmark. It is a large museum, with a vast collection of contemporary art. When we were there in July, there were no fiber art on display, with the exception of a piece by Pia Arke that was included in the main theme exhibit about Scandinavian architecture.

Pia Arke's work Soil for Scorebysund, consists of a collection of coffee filter bags from her native Greenland. One of the few fiber art pieces at Louisina museum of modern art.

Recently the amazing exhibit Disintegration and Repair, at Warm Springs Gallery, which included several nationally and internationally renown fiber artists, was received warmly by the public, but generated few sales and little attention or reviews from local press and art establishments.

Work by Barbara Wisnoski and Kathryn Clark at Warm Springs Gallery.

I am just using these examples to illustrate how fiber art is met with hesitation, if it is included at all, in more traditional art venues. I think there is an ingrained suspicion towards fiber among art curators, art critics, and art audiences in general. Somehow textile art is considered fragile, fleeting, and flimsy. Then there is the debate whether it is really art, or fine craft. Where do you draw the line? Do you have to draw a line?

Work by Karen Henderson at Warm Springs Gallery.

My wish is to garner a greater respect for the medium itself. Fiber art is no more precious, or insubstantial, or folksy, than any other medium. It is what the artist does with the medium that gives it meaning. Textile art can be good and bad, just as any other art form. I think great fiber art deserve a place alongside great paintings, prints, and video art.

In general (of curse there are exceptions) fiber art is most successful in venues where buyers, curators, collectors, and gallery owners have an interest because of the medium. Most of us probably fall in this category. Our love of fiber, makes us seek out good fiber art via specialty galleries, online venues, and exclusive fiber shows.

But my passion for the art form wants me to promote it in a wider sense. Not just to advance my own work, but because I truly think that fiber art belongs on the big stage. I would love to hear your thoughts about this. Do you have ideas about how to make this happen? How to further the understanding about fiber art and its qualities? I suggest that you visit these amazing artists, who all deserve a place in the most prestigious galleries and museums; Barbara Wisnoski, Karen Henderson, India Flint, Judy Martin, Roz Hawker, Dorothy Caldwell, and Beverly Ayling-Smith. The list could go on...

the pinkyberries and company

Meet the pinkyberries, one of several delightful discoveries at Röhsska museet in Gothenburg, Sweden. A group of talented students from Högskolan för Design och Konsthantverk, are currently showing their final work at the renowned design and craft museum. I love to explore student exhibitions – the work is often fresh, unhibited, and pared down. Here are some glimpses of beautiful fiber related art from the show, which runs through September 4.

the pinkyberries by Pernilla Eskilsson

time will tell by Ellen Jacobsen Holvik

one thousand pieces by Jane Yang

chroma projects

This past week was spent  cleaning, painting, and furnishing my new studio/gallery space at Chroma Projects downtown Charlottesville. I am proud and excited to be part of this vibrant art gallery and its community of artists. Initially I will primarily use this space to show my current work and to meet prospective customers. Eventually I am hoping to create a working studio or at least a sacred place where I can quietly think up new ideas, away from the demands and distractions of my home studio.

I will be in place for First Friday, Charlottesville's gallery opening night, on May 6 from 5 - 8, and I would love to see you! The main gallery will show beautiful drawings by Beverly Ress,  paintings by Paula Christman, and the black box will feature the film The Alexander Veil by Lydia Moyer.

On a different note, my friend Lily pruned her Japanese maple tree this weekend. Guess who received the trimmings? I see a big dye pot brewing in the near future...

self promotion

Maketing, publicity, and pr are concepts that I struggle with. I am just not good at beating my own drum or tooting my own horn. But I do like to present myself and my work in a way that reflect who I am and what I create. Recently I decided to make some larger format cards instead of standard buisness cards. They were printed at my favorite local press in black ink on recycled card stock, and each of them will be adorned with a leaf print on the front. Even though more time consuming, it feels important to leave behind a small sample of my work for prospective customers to look at and consider.

Speaking of promotion... I recently listed a new piece in the etsy shop that I really like. It is a textile collage of eco printed linen and silk, hand stitched and mounted on a small stretched canvas. I call it whisper, because the imagery is barely there, it seems to be floating under the fabric surface.

Lastly, my garden blog is revived. The garden is such a huge inspiration in my life and my work, and I am glad I finally got back to documenting the exciting things that always happens there. Happy spring!

Japan

My heart aches. The devastation from the earthquake in Japan is beyond comprehension. Sending thoughts of compassion and monetary aid is one way to cope. Taking a deep breath to cherish our own uneventful, safe existence is another. Sharing a glimpse of amazing Japanese art is one more way to celebrate this country of beauty and inspiration.

Japanese asa boro. Photo courtesy of  Sri Threads.

Vessel by Mihara Ken 

Kan, winter kimono by Itchiku Kubota

looking up

During our morning dog walk it struck me what a beautiful place we live in. Charlottesville, Virginia is a small, but bustling city. It is steeped in tradition which is evident in its grand architecture as well as in its friendly citizens. Charlottesville is home to an amazing university and an array of businesses, shops, restaurants, and art venues. Our public schools are fantastic, and our local government is run responsibly, while striving to care for our environment and people in need. Here you will find imposing columns, arched windows, craftsmanship, solar panels, sky blue porch ceilings, chicken coops, public art, trees, birds, street vendors, and southern hospitality, all in an appealing jumble.

Lots of pondering going on at the moment, about my work and life in general. Trying to come up with a specific plan to fulfill some of my new years wishes. More to come... Thank you Ayana from Indie Simphoni for the interview posted this past week!

natural beauty

February Visit, polymer gravure solar plate printed on artist-made paper with chine collè. © 88editions. all rights reserved.

Every once in a while you come across art that just simply takes your breath away. These beautiful prints from 88editions are solar plate etchings where the artist's photographic images, pressed plants, and other items are positioned on the plate which is exposed in the sun. The artist's handmade paper adds another dimension to the prints. I find the result hauntingly beautiful. I love the texture, the layered effects, and the muted colors. These prints are all available, along with several others, in the 88editions etsy shop. 

Winter Walk: Lyric, polymer gravure solar plate printed on artist-made paper. © 88editions. all rights reserved.

Moonrise Charmed Medow at Dusk, polymer gravure solar plate printed on artist-made paper with monotyping. © 88editions. all rights reserved.

Branch Silhouette, polymer gravure solar plate printed on artist-made paper. © 88editions. all rights reserved.

Seed Head: Dill, polymer gravure solar plate printed on artist-made paper. © 88editions. all rights reserved.

in place

My commissioned work is finally finished and installed in the waiting area of Sheila C. Johnson Center for Human Services, at the University of Virginia. The main piece is the first in my new swirl series, where viburnum leaves are printed in different color shades on vintage linen, and then pieced together and hand stitched. I love the effect of the similar leaf prints presented in different positions and colorations. The companion pieces are similar prints mounted on pre-stretched canvases. I also did a Queen Anne's Lace piece which is nature printed on pieced linen, and quilted with gently curved sweeping horizontal lines. The bottom panel has tucks and pleats that give the piece an added dimension. I am grateful for this assignment and I am proud that my art now is part of this beautifully designed, brand new building.

barbara wisnoski

white rag quilt

photos courtesy of Barbara Wisnoski. all rights reserved.

 A small single piece of fabric, slightly worn, ends up next to a similar yet different piece of fabric. Some are tarnished, some torn. All with a history to tell. By the hands of Canadian textile artist Barbara Wisnoski, they become part of a much larger picture. With frayed edges and lose threads proudly exposed, she pieces together amazing wall quilts that beckons to be examined and admired. Barbara calls her art 2.5 D textile installations, made from recycled fabric and clothing. The exposed seams, and layered patches gives the quilts a wonderful depth and weight. From afar the wall pieces have clean simple motifs like lines in a landscape, shapes of rectangles, and the contour of a roof, but when viewed up close the true magic of her composition is revealed.

2d-3d house

photos courtesy of Barbara Wisnoski. all rights reserved.

I love everything about Barbara's work, from the innovative reuse of materials, to the subtle flow of color, and the simplicity and texture of the large finished pieces. If you are interested in seeing her quilts in person, two of them are currently on display at Fiberart International 2010, at Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, Pittsburgh, PA. The show will subsequently travel to Rochester, NY, and San Francisco, CA. Thank you Barbara for letting me share your beautiful art!

grey rain sea

photos courtesy of Barbara Wisnoski. all rights reserved.

platonic target

photo courtesy of Barbara Wisnoski. all rights reserved.

field

photo courtesy of Barbara Wisnoski. all rights reserved.