Fiber Art Galore
I am drawn to all kinds of art, but when I get wind of a fiber art exhibit within driving distance or in a region that I’m visiting, I‘m eager to go and have a look. I’m fortunate to live in northern California, where fiber art is considered art and, thus, regularly appears in galleries, art centers, and museums.
Illumination by Katy Drury Anderson.
Wet felted wool, silk.
Recently, I went to a show at the O’Hanlon Center for the Arts in Mill Valley, Marin County. Because some of my own pieces were exhibited there in the past, I am familiar with the lovely location. I was also primed to head over there after receiving announcements from some of the artists. On top of that, I know the juror, Carole Beadle, a fiber sculpture artist who pioneered flax paper, crocheted and knitted wire, and patterning techniques for three-dimensional fabric forms. She has taught Fiber Sculpture Art at the College of Marin for 34 years. While it’s impossible for me to include all of the 64 works that Carole selected for Fiber Art: The Expressive & Innovative, what follows is a variety of entries, interesting for their diverse use of materials and techniques. My apologies to the artists whose work is not shown here.
Metamorphosis #2, by Susan Zimmerman.
Polypropylene shopping bags, thread.
Detail of Metamorphosis #2, by Susan Zimmerman.
Chancay 11, by Ileana Soto.
Detail of Chancay 11, by Ileana Soto.
Our Ladies of Private Anguish: Tamar, by Laura Kamian McDermott. Sewing patterns, stitching, silk, acrylic on canvas.
Dancing with Spirals, by Dixie Brown. Crochet yarns and cords.
Filling Voids, by Shannon Maher. Seaweed stipe and thread.
Sub Rosa, by Francine Goodfriend. Book accordion collaged
from old book.
Blasted into the Middle Ages, by Rebecca Riley. Yarn, wire.
A Place to Hide, by Arlene Wohl. Handmade flax, indigo ink, stitched.
Warm Waters Rising, by Marilyn L. Geary. Fiber, wool; woven, braided, indigo-dyed.
Where Are We Headed?, by Alex Friedman.
Tapestry, wool, linen.
Sashiko Paper Plates (3), by Barbara Poole. Rice paper, ink, stitching.
Detail of Sashiko Paper Plates (3),
by Barbara Poole.
Japanese Puzzle, by Patricia Bruvry.
Textile, quilt: hand-dyed indigo.
Vertigo, by Linda Belden
Fiber, embroidery with linen.
Detail of Vertigo, by Linda Belden.
Fardel, by Teddy Milder. Cotton string weaving, pigmented paper; pulp, stitched with indigo thread.
Paper and People Quilt #3,
by Anne Lamborn.
Stitchery, drawing, mixed media.
Detail of Paper and People Quilt #3,
by Anne Lamborn.
Mr. Mitchell & His Chickens: This Old House Series, by Renée Owen. Quilt blocks of used canvas paint tarps, sandpaper, industrial felt, vintage photos, embroidery, suede lacing, found objects.
Detail of Mr. Mitchell & His Chickens: This Old House Series, by Renée Owen.
Survived, by Emily Dvorin.
Beer can caps, felt, scrubbies, satin cord.
Detail of Survived, by Emily Dvorin.
Offering to NRG, by Marilyn L. Geary. Fiber, wool, feathers, metal; woven, braided, wrapped.
Left, Right, Center, by Ben Benet. Embroidery floss, sewing needles, wood.
Detail of Left, Right, Center,
by Ben Benet.
Abanicos [handheld fans], by Isidoro Angeles. Metal lace.
Shadow Play, by Phyllis Thelen. Mulberry bark, paper.
Detail of Shadow Play, by Phyllis Thelen.
