It is truly a thrill to see your work hanging in a show. It is exhilarating to walk by it and overhear a spectator say, that is so unique/beautiful/interesting. Artists have work hard not only thinking about how to make the work but also making it and finding the venue to show it. I have to admit, sometimes I walk by someone's work of art and think, what the heck is that?But for all practical purposes lets assume that all our art will be wonderful. Because that is what we assume anyway, right?
The interesting thing about art or fiber art quilt shows vs traditional quilt shows is striking to me....I have participated in both. People make quilts to win a prize of some sort and to give that quilt to another person. Or for personal use up on your own bed or sofa.
Art, on the other hand, is a bit different. A lot of people make art with a meaning. I can tell you the story behind every one of my pieces. If I sell one along the way, that is even better. But there are some that won't get sold. The meaning is too important or personal to the maker
I have a friend who does what I call Statement Art. His pieces are always making a statement about some world injustice. Don't get me wrong, his art is insightful, thoughtful and meaningful. As much as meaningful can be said of a piece of Statement Art. I didn't think it is going to change anyone's mind about Trump or Hillary, and it certainly isn't going to change world poverty other than to maybe to bring his bank account out of poverty.
It can be said to be introspective. It makes you think, I guess. I am not sure I want to think about world poverty in my living room or dining room. Or bedroom for that matter.
This is all to say that I have two pieces of fiber art that will be going to shows in the next few months. One has the potential of hanging in the State Capital.
One is an Exhibit called Journeys. It is a suggestion of going somewhere, taking a journey, or memories of a journey taken. I can't remember where this will be shown. It will be interesting to see how others interpret this notion.
I decided that an old piece of my clothing best showed my journey. I cut up my blue jean capris that were too big at the time, I have since wished I still had them now. My love of Maps caused me to make a street grid with brightly colored bits of material. Once I got them laid out I realized it needed a highway going through my little town. Hence, One Road Thru Town was born.
It talks about how the Interstate Highway has destroyed the small town. Well maybe not so obviously, but I will write an Artist's Statement that will tell you that. I am hoping it will give a lot of meaning to the piece and make people think about the small towns destroyed by not having an interstate exit promoting their town.
It may seem factious, but I really do feel sorry for those little towns all over the US. And I love my art piece! I spent a lot of time hand embroidering the little town factory, a wind turbine, some houses, a swampy lake with an alligator and another safer one with a sail boat.
My next piece is one I just finished. You may have followed the progress on The Cave Drawings. It will go into a show at the Louisiana Arboretum called The Nature of Poetry/The Poetry of Nature.
The idea of my piece is that the Cave Drawings are some sort of Poetry from our ancestors. They might not have had written language but they depicted drew the most important thing in their lives, the finding of their food.
No food, your group didn't survive.
I looked at the cave drawings as a sort of poetic documentation of survival. Art from the distant past that came from someone's
need to create art. Just like my need to create art. And my friend's need to create his Statement Art.
I suspended the cave drawings on a piece of the tree we cut down from our backyard. So this is a statement (at the LA Arboretum, no less) that we are squandering a precious resource when we cut trees down.
And our need to have other people see what we do to validate the fact that we are artists. Because I feel that we cannot create art as a solitary entity, art needs to be seen.
No matter how weird it is, or what meaning the artist attaches to it. Or the meaning we, as observers, attach
So come see my art. Another piece is traveling right now and is currently at the Livingston Parish Library in an exhibit of other 11.5 x 8 pieces titled, appropriately "Books".
I definitely have that need for you to come see my art!
PS - the photos of Statement Art that are not my own here were taken at the Quilt Festival in France last August.
