First the News
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center was closed last week for construction of accessible sidewalks and paths. It should reopen on Friday, July 18th. I plan to have regular Open Studio Hours. 10am -2pm, on Friday and Saturday.
Please come spend time with us, bring something to work on and be ready to talk to hikers, birders and curious neighbors. I love having all y’all who are helping me make my studio a radically welcoming space. Only a few weeks left (sob) but I plan to maintain my relationship with the Center and its amazing staff after the residency ends.
Sheila Hicks and Textile Arts as Fine Art
In the early 20th century, there was little recognition in the “Art” world for Textile Arts which were relegated to the Craft. To be fair, fabric is ubiquitous in human life and we take it for granted. We confidently expect there to be sheets for the bed, towels after a bath and a cozy sweater on a cold day. And, those same materials (linen, cotton, wool) seem humble and ordinary next to oil paint and bronze, until you stand in front of a Byzantine Tapestry, or walk in a gallery (or a garden) that has been turned over to Shiela Hicks. 1
Textiles in the World of Art
There has been an explosion of textiles in the art world in recent days. Many galleries and museums now hang tapestries and other fiber-based art next to oil on canvas (also a textile, to be honest). I am delighted to see more shows featuring textile artists from all walks of life.
These interventions were made for her show: Sheila Hicks: Seize, Weave Space in 2019 at the Nasher Sculpture Center. The fabric looked so pristine when she installed them. But the grass became unruly over time. I love the sense of chaos in an urban sculpture garden. This inspired my personal contribution to the Great Create in 2023 (more on that later).
Modern weavers and Textile Artist owe a debt of gratitude to the in inimitable Shiela Hick. In the 1960’s she was not the only artist working exclusively2 in textiles, but she has been a wonderful example of joyous celebration of the most elemental materials.
“I don’t want to go do something I
know how to do. I want to go do
something I don’t know how to do.”Sheila Hicks
Here is a wonderful introduction to Shiela Hicks from the MOMA.
What is in a Name?
When I am asked to write about my own art practice, I struggle with the words. The Making is pretty straight forward, I get that part. Preparing the works for display is a challenge, complicated by gravity and the tensile strength of materials but really just a matter of balance. However, writing an artist’s statement and/or a label is hard.
A (new to me) artist bridging the worlds of the arts and craft with textiles? Down the rabbit hole I go! 🕳🏃♀️💨