A note from the artist
The past several years has been a tumultuous time in our country. We all have our own ways of coping-mine has been my work. When I feel myself getting overwhelmed, I return to my studio. The work re-centers, gives me hope, and new things have evolved as a result.
The natural world is the driving force in my work. The botanicals, seeds to plants, beautiful forms-flowers, fibers to harvest, some naturally dyed -all cooked- beaten-a process dating back over 2,000 years ago. The imagery I use has evolved-a sense of beauty, a sense of reflection. Every work entails a return to the symbolic meaning – of the plant or the color, or the imagery. The words all cluster and return to- truth, peace, love, beauty, tolerance, stability, strength and protection.
The “weaving” process - a lattice work of strips of naturally dyed fibers of banana, flax, cattail, iris, cotton and hemp, is a key element. These woven strips-symbolize that we are all connected - we all have something in common - we can come together. In a period of great divisiveness, these woven elements symbolize the strength we derive from interconnection and the brilliance of our multicolored community. Many works start with a photograph which creates both a theme and a tone and then a color palate to support and illuminate the tone, woven lattice, eco-prints and found objects, are added to convey and exemplify the theme. The vessels reflect the turbulent journey we all must take to honor and preserve what is most important to us.
The Liberty images are derived from images I took when caught in a rainstorm in New York Harbor on a sailboat. These images evoked in me profound and diverse feelings about the core values of our society and how this country has been built. The Truth Continuum explores issues about the risks to our environment, the intolerance towards diverse communities and the threats to our core freedoms.