Review written by Susie Krage
In December, Fred and I had the opportunity to attend the opening of Focus: Fiber 2011-2012.
The
main reason we made the trip was because I had a piece accepted into
the exhibition. Sponsored by the Textile Art Alliance of the Cleveland
Museum of Art, the exhibition was mounted at the Canton Museum, in
Canton, Ohio.
Dorothy
Caldwell was the juror, and she chose 52 artworks from 111 artists of
the 278 submitted works. She also gave a lecture and a workshop in the
week prior to the opening.
The
museum is stunning and the space allocated for the exhibition was large
and had soaring ceilings. There was a quartet playing through the
event, tables loaded with sweet and savory snacks and a cash bar. There
were lots of people in attendance and a festive atmosphere.
The
exhibited entries were from Ohio, Michigan, New York, Illinois,
Kentucky, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. The largest number of works were
from Ohio (15). But I am happy to report that Michigan stood proud with
the next highest number (9).
Worth
noting was a spectacular piece by Heather Uyiie, from Langhorne, PA.,
It was the largest and probably the most ambitious piece over all. It
was five panels hung as one work and measured a whopping 10’ high and
19’ wide. “Resurrection” was hand drawn, digitally manipulated, ink jet
printed on cotton and embellished. It was colorful and crisp and
whimsical. The embellishment consisted of hand sewn sequins over most of
the background and beads that outlined the elements. It was
overwhelming just thinking of the amount of work involved
The
next largest piece, “ In a Different Light”, came from our own Xia Gao
from East Lansing. Xia’s work measured 86” X 186” and speaks to her
connection with Nebraska. It was mounted on brackets that held it well
away from the wall. Xia use burning incense sticks to make tiny holes in
the printed buckram in a pattern completely different from the print.
Light penetrating the holes cast a totally different design on the
wall.
The other Michigan exhibitors were:
Barbara Bushey of Hillsdale, MI
“Superior Dreams I”, 5 panels, 39.5 X 66.5”
Whole cloth, hand and machine quilted silk organza and cotton, shibori dyed.
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Susie Krage of Detroit, MI
“Hugs and Kisses” 86” X 186”
Polyester sheer with paper and metal leaf lamination.
*********
June Lee of Bloomfield Hills, MI
“Who Are We”, variable dimensions
Five uniform jackets
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Amy Long, Traverse City, MI
O degrees, Sizes Vary
Small felted pieces
*********
Diane Nunez of Southfield, MI
“Siamese Twins” 81.5” X 25” x 3”
Hand dyed fabric, batting, thread, velcro, quilted assemblage
*********
Bonnie Petersen, Houghton, MI
“Bitter Root”
Embroidery and heat transfer, silk velvet and brocades
******************
M.E. Ware, Mount Pleasant, MI
“Power Suit for Modern Mothers” 60” X 24” X 24”
Garment-felted
laundry lint over wool suit (3 years worth). Display form: plaster,
cast paper, (made from grocery and to-do lists) and steel. Felting,
reclaiming paper, cast paper and plastic.
*********
The
exhibition continues through February 26, 2012. If you are in the mood
for a short road trip, I encourage you to see this exhibition. While
there, you might also want to check out a small but exciting gallery;
Lynda Tuttle’s Art Center, at 209 6th St., NW. In Canton. Lynda’s slogan
is “Empowering Lives Through the Arts”. She is an amazing woman who has
helped many artists to exhibit, who otherwise may have never been
known. It was a delightful time hearing about her work with many
disenfranchised people. One artist in particular that she represents is
Marjean May, who does amazing mixed media fiber portraits. Lynda will
not bother you, but if you take the time to get her to talk about her
experiences, you won’t regret it!
The Canton Museum is located:
The Canton Museum of Art
1001 Market Ave. North
Canton, OH 44702
