When I was in Blowing Rock, NC, earlier this summer, I got to see a fiber art exhibit at the Brahm Art Museum. It featured the work of North Carolina fiber artists and was very interesting.
I find that fiber art in the NC mountains is different from that in sunny Florida. There are lots more woven items, baskets, and fabrics dyed with plants. This piece, by Catharine Ellis is a lovely example. Each panel is dyed with a different plant in a shibori style. (Shibori involves fabric manipulation before dying. In this case, lots of folding was used.)
This book by Leslie Pearson features recycled items made into handmade paper.
There was another recycled book in the exhibit, although I didn’t get the name of the artist. I loved that gloves were provided so you could flip the pages and explore it. My friend, Cindy, and my sister, Sharon enjoyed spending time with it.
(Check out the other interesting art in the background.)
And here’s another 3D piece by Leslie Pearson. Very interesting, right? The materials were listed as gut, wire, book, and tissue paper. I definitely don’t know how to utilize those materials in such a way!
My favorite piece in the exhibit was an installation of tiny embroidered pieces, by Jeana Klein.
Isn’t this a nice collection? Each of these is made entirely with French knots, and the name reflects the number included.
But, check out the price list: each piece is available for barter or for purchase! And some of the barter suggestions are hilarious.
Aren’t they great? And they’re legit. Several pieces had red dots and when we asked the docent we were told that many had been bartered. I love this humorous pricing!
I said at the beginning that the exhibit was interesting and, indeed, quite a few of the pieces fell into that category for me. You know: clever and intriguing, but not really visually appealing. Maybe you’ll have a different take on it. Either way, you’re in luck because the exhibit runs through October 27th, and it’s free. I do think you’ll enjoy it.
Ellen Lindner
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