Variegated Threads

Variegated Threads, a World of Threads Festival exhibition in the Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre, Oakville, featured an eclectic collection of fibre works.

Barbara Rehus, Thanks, Ma.
A mechanically animated installation that made me grin.

This intensely stitched and buttoned work...

...made Mikey of Mallory by Marie Bergstedt.

Fibre Collage at Abbozzo Gallery

This was a small, interesting exhibit where 6 artists collaged a wide range of materials in individually different ways.

Allyn Cantor, Dusk Treeline, cotton canvas, linen, reclaimed textile.

Natalie Bertin, Torment of the Heart, rabbit fur, leather, brass bullet casing, gold & silver pigment, bead texture medium, acrylic.

Alice Vander Vennen, Pilgram, new & found textiles, copper, willow, found objects.

Sheridan Institute Textiles Department

After attending the Memento mori exhibition opening I looked in on the textiles department of the Sheridan Institute.
Burners for natural dyeing and protein fibres.

Washing machine and dryer

Various steamers 

Materials prep counter

Vented box for mixing dye stuff

Long padded print tables and racks of silk screens 

Light table

Long firm print tables.

What a place to be a student!

World of Threads Festival Exhibitions

Ingrid Lincoln also had work in the De rerum natura exhibition.

Either/Or, machine stitched cotton and batik fabric.

Danger Water Rising, machine stitch and applique on cotton and silk.

While the De rerum natura exhibition celebrated life, the Memento mori  exhibition 'dealt with the themes of death, mortality and grief and the quest for immortality.' The curator Gareth Bate's selection focused on works using established fibre techniques but non-fibre materials.

 Megan Bostic The First Year of Grief: everyday never feels like the yesterday I need it to.

 
Silk organza, powdered drink mix, tea, and waxed linen thread were hand stitched then covered in wax.

 
Susan Lukachko, Splinter

 
From what I could see, Susan painted a canvas with oil paints, interfaced the canvas, cut it up then sewed it back together again like patchwork.

Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre

The Joshua Creek Gallery housed the World of Threads Festival exhibition De rerum natura ( On The Nature of Things). The festival curator, Gareth Bate, looked at all of the work submitted then decided on groupings and themes. He "observed that environmental work is the most dominant theme in contemporary fibre art."
These are some of the works I particularly liked in this exhibition.

Leanne Shea Rhem, Armour, 2011

Hand-made kozo paper and lambskin leather were stitched together to make a dressed, life-size human form.

Kozo was a popular medium in the festival but no 2 artists used it in the same way.

Emily Jan, Durer's Rhinoceros, 2011
Emily's title refers to the woodcut Albrecht Durer made in 1515, of a rhinoceros, an animal he had never seen. He worked from a description written by an explorer who had returned to Europe. Durer modeled it after what he was familiar with - metal and leather amour.

Wiki - "probably no animal picture has exerted such a profound influence on the arts".

Emily, likewise has made a rhinoceros from the familiar materials we cover ourselves with - our clothing. 

Recycled garments & textiles and resin.
Knitting, crochet, eyelet embroidery, button fastenings, lace edgings.

This suspended rhino made everyone smile.

Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre

The brain-child of artist and art patron Sybil Rampin, her art centre is a creative haven on the outskirts of Oakville.

Vistors to the World of Threads Festival art exhibitions at the centre: Ingrid Lincoln, Judith Martin, Catherine Dormor (our final year BA(Hons) tutor).

The centre is made up of different work spaces.
This space could be used for learning, working, meeting, eating, sharing.

A light-filled work room.

Work sinks.

Print room.
Next post - the gallery spaces.

Missa Magic 2012

Missa Magic 2012
MISSA is an annual gathering in the West Coast rain forest of like minded artists who work in all media. People come together to teach and learn from each other. What also happens is new friendships are formed, old friendships are more firmly cemented, networks are built up and one's community is expanded. Creativity is contagious and runs rampant throughout the campus.
MISSA is the tonic for your creative well being.

Articulation Attends World of Threads Festival

The 1st festival exhibition Articulation attended was an independent solo show in Ristorante Julia.

Toronto artist, Mafalda Silva, showed Tangled Memories, a body of work about having life changing experiences while staying essentially the same person.

She shows this change by observing the natural world.

Mafalda stitched small amounts of colour into black and white photographs.

Contiuum Opening Night

Articulation had converged on Oakville the night before Continuum opened.
Members were able to hear each artist talk about her work.
Denise Jones talks about hers.

Judy Martin talks about hers.

 

Articulation members were their usual inquisitive selves and listened intently to every word.

Viki spoke about her work.

Each artists' work was even more powerful when viewers personally experienced the animated and emotional connection of the artist with her work.
What a treat to hear each of the artists talk while standing next to their work.