Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Test 1-2-3



Ventured out under a blue sky today to investigate the state of the STASH installation. I was confident that the sculptures were attached securely enough and expected them to weather the storm in tact, but when the winds reached 80-100 mile/hour anything was possible. I was happy to find them safe and nestled in their perches - bundles of expression bursting at the seams yet holding it together in spite of the harsh conditions. If those winds don't break them down... nothing will!

THREADSpace


Looking forward to my trip to Toronto next week. The purpose is to attend the opening of THREADSpace: Threading the 3rd Dimension, one exhibition of many as a part of the World of Threads International Festival happening throughout Toronto and Oakville Ontario. This particular show features ONE DAY and is described as follows:

"...all work had to be sculpture, had to be created by fiber/thread processing and/or materials and had to be well designed, executed and speak beyond its fabrication."

Three other works are included in another exhibition De rerum natura in Oakville... look here for details.

We've never been to Toronto and look forward to seeing the whole region turn out for this international event. Any recommendations for any must see attractions while we're there? Thanks!

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Drawn


Two large charcoal drawings inspired by the shadows cast by HIVE. They were worked simultaneously and each measures 51 inches wide x 6 feet tall. I have several other drawing ideas in queue... but these two will be going to Carney Gallery at Regis College for the show Re:Constructed that's opening November 2. The install is happening next week so these babies are ready to go. 


De rerum natura


Four of my sculptures will be exhibiting at the World of Threads Festival in Toronto and Oakville Ontario this November. De rerum natura (On The Nature of Things) will be opening in Oakville on Nov. 4, 2012.  Receptor, What Looks Like an Elephant and Marrow will be participating in this show. One Day will be featured in THREADSpace: Threading the Third Dimension in Toronto on November 7 at the Canadian Sculpture Centre. More on that later.

Here's the description from the website:
De rerum natura (On The Nature of Things) is a highly eccentric exhibition evoking the collection of a mad 18th century naturalist. All the artwork is dealing with themes of nature, plants and animals. Curator Gareth Bate has observed that environmental work is the most dominant theme in contemporary fibre art. This lush and colourful environment is filled with striking and sometimes bizarre work. The show features the work of 35 artists from Canada, Denmark, United Kingdom and USA. They are working in a huge variety of media. There will be installation, sculpture and 2D work. The title of the exhibition is based on the ancient Roman poem De rerum natura by Lucretius who's rediscovery was a major inspiration for Renaissance artists.

I'm lucky to be able to attend some of the festivites in Toronto... looking forward to meeting Dawne Rudman and Gareth Bate who both have been working feverishly on this event. Also hope to meet many new artist friends... the work looks amazing!


Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Poetry


Preparing for 5 shows with packing, photographing and working. 
Not enough space or time to get it all done. 
Feels great to be so busy. 
Add to the mix a couple of studio visits. 
Crazy :).




Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Drafting


Another HIVE derivative - large 82" x 60" charcoal rendering. Wish I could find quality drawing paper large enough to avoid the seam. Tomorrow will be at it again with more projections.... Re:Constructing the HIVE experience from sculpture to sketch.


Friday, October 5, 2012

Stitched Stories

A short documentary exploring the power of needlecraft to provoke social change.


I was introduced to this video by a fiber artist friend's blog and was moved by the communities represented - a young craftivism organizer and a prison inmate. Each seeking to find a nonaggressive and thoughtful approach to making their contribution to the world.

Some of my favorite quotes from the movie:

"Anyone can join, it's not a high brow craft. There's a common ground of making and camaraderie between people of different backgrounds."

"When you're making it, you have to reflect on it which in this day in age life is so busy it's really important for people to have time to reflect on the issues, to make a connection."

"You get so involved in what you're doing you block out everything else and you forget your problems and you just focus on that one thing."

"Helps pass the time, helps me to escape what I'm going through."

This movie adds to some recent ideas I've been pondering with my own work - about how makers leave behind artifiacts that provide the windows for history - how we learn about the culture and values of societies by studying what they create.


For more info and photos about the craftivist movement check out this article.



Monday, October 1, 2012

To Kill a Mockingbird


This year, as part of a citywide reading initiative, Attleboro will be reading To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. In this National Endowment for the Arts program participants are encouraged to read the same book at the same time – and extend their connection to the chosen text through local arts and culture activities.

In response to this novel, Attleboro Arts Museum is coordinating a special exhibition that is inspired by one of the book’s key themes – “loss of innocence” in children. The exhibition will represent the loss of innocence in the form of 15 creatively constructed “nests.”

I have been invited to create one of these nests and to have it included in this commemorative Museum exhibition. Mine will represent the experience of a teen girl who lost her parents to a car accident when she was 13 years old. It was a devastating loss for her. Fortunately she had an uncle who was able to take responsibility for her care. Then her uncle died of cancer. Another traumatizing loss.

Today, in spite of her experiences and continued sadness, my youth demonstrates strength and resilience of character. She has been able to continue at her same school, is on the honor roll and plans to go to college to become a social worker.

With my nest, I hope to represent the transcendence from trauma to strength in the presence of turmoil. And to illustrate the spirit and courage required to transform a bleak situation into a bright future full of possibilities.


Attleboro Arts Museum
One‐day invitational exhibition
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
7-8:30 pm 
Evening reception and Big Read recognition event that honors each artist and their piece in the show. Free and open to all.