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Leah Evans Liz Alpert Fay Katie Glusica Renee Harris Natalia Margulis |
Claudia Mills Amy Silberkleit Yukako Sorai Erin M. Wilson |
Leah Evans — Madison, WI | leahevanstextiles.com
This selection of fiber works is based on research of maps, satellite imagery, and microbiology. Viewed together the work explores similarities in the macro and micro worlds. Processes feature a balance of machine and hand stitching as well as use of hand dyed and salvaged materials. Techniques include natural and synthetic dyeing, needle felting, applique, Xerox transfer, reverse applique, piecing, bead work, and a variety of hand embroidery stitches. All design, machine work, and hand work is done by the artist without the aid of a computer or programmable sewing machine.
Liz Alpert Fay — Sandy Hook, CT | lizalpertfay.com
My hand hooked rugs are made in the traditional manner, by cutting narrow strips of fabric which are then hooked into a linen backing. I primarily use wool, and hand dye many of the colors I use, but sometimes incorporate cottons and a variety of specialty yarns and fabrics. I like the idea of incorporating discarded clothing and other textiles which already have a history of their own. The designs for my rugs are bright and contemporary, and all are one of a kind. I strive for a feeling of spontaneity even while working in this labor intensive technique. Many of my rugs are inspired by nature. Some are purely explorations in color, while others tell stories, reflect my views on life, or enable me to comment on issues that are important to me. I view my rug making as creating art which can be used on the floor as well as hung on the wall. The rugs are rich looking and feel warm and wonderful underfoot. I feel the pieces become more beautiful with time and use.
Katie Glusica — Savannah, GA | katieglusica.com
These fabrics are an expression of the meditative experience that I engage in while weaving. The open nature of these cloths enables the viewer to engage in an investigation of the interlacing of the warp and weft, seeing clearly where they come together and where they move apart. The fabric is self revealing of clues to the process of its construction. In most contemporary utilitarian cloth, there is little to no hint towards the process of making that resulted in the object, it is seen only for the whole cloth, and in that way taken for granted. This degree of separation between the user and the object creates a void where the magic of, and appreciation for, weaving and cloth used to be. These cloths, as art, fill that void by translating the beauty, magic and self reflection that occurs for me during the process of weaving.
Renee Harris — Cincinnati, OH | reneeharris.net
I hand embroider the rich surfaces of felted wool and various fabrics because of a passion to use stitching as a drawing tool. A love of illustration, nature and folk art provides me with continuous inspiration and motivation to create these one-of-kind narrative pieces that incorporate the infinite possibilities of working with fiber materials. My work is always evolving but recently, I have particularly been drawn to using more detail, as well as, celebrating the value of design, color and form to achieve more balance within the artistic content of each piece.
Natalia Margulis — Livingston, NJ | nataliamargulis.com
To be inspired by nature sublime beauty I found a needle as a versatile instrument to recreate an embroidered textile, to investigate and express endless transformation of nature through changes of seasons from new life to decay. Fluid and transformable qualities of fiber allow me to reconstruct natural forms and textures, which fascinated me. Each piece is influenced by my desire to share and bring more meaning and joy into our lives. I am especially interested in creating illusion of movement, delicacy, light and shadow. Embroidered pictures by their softness and tenderness awoke deep feeling of belonging to organic world as through visual perception as physical tactility. Fragility of fiber is used to indicate the fragility of the world and reflects my passionate desire to save and protect it. Trying to expand the possibilities to express myself I include all kind of hand and machine stitches and often some elements of other fiber techniques. They are my tools to achieve the result.
Claudia Mills — Philadelphia, PA | claudiamills.com
Practiced in many cultures, the art of weaving rag rugs has a timeless quality. While they have been traditionally woven with recycled textiles, I create rugs in a fresh palette of colors and new fabrics, updating the age-old technique to create contemporary floor coverings. My rugs are hand woven with 100% cotton yarn and fabric using traditional weaving techniques. The log cabin technique highlights the interplay between yarn and fabric while the double block weave emphasizes geometry.
Amy Silberkleit — Mount Vernon, NY
The incredible variety of textures, colors, shapes and patterns found in the natural world and urban landscapes are mirrored in the patterns and textures of fabric. I reproduce my world with small pieces of fabric that are cut, sewn and layered in order to evoke scenes which I find meaningful. My panels are depictions of places I have been: some combine urban and natural settings that are in fact not contiguous. Some are realistic, others are more abstract. Using fabric to represent my visual experience gives my work a tactile dimension. I use thread not only to hold my work to the underlying canvas but also to define and enhance the composition. The themes that unify my work are the interplay of beauty, loneliness and the contradictory and complimentary forces of growth and decay.
Yukako Sorai — New York, NY
My textile art is created by the magic confluence of colors and forms. My works "Petra" condense multiple layers of colors. "Petra" manifest a continuos epiphany of colors, which scoop out organic patterns and shapes. Natural mirabilia and uncanny forms inhabit my works, which becomes receptacles of the fabulous. Felt transforms into sculptural fibers, from where an attractive power is permanently emanated.
My felt work is created by the overlapping of wool fibers and silk textiles, which I subsequently cut.
Erin M. Wilson — Brooklyn, NY | erinwilsonquilts.com
With fabric and color, I am building an intricate language of pattern, abstract shapes and symbols. I use the traditional quiltmaking technique of patchwork combined with an improvisational design process to create each small square block. No two are alike. From a distance, the quilts emphasize color flow and movement; up close, each block contains a story without words, to be discovered - or invented - by the viewer.
