The medium of tapestry weaving allows me to create images and cloth at the same time. The tactile experience of working with fiber, along with the depth of color and richness of the woven surface excites and drives me. I find the process of creating cloth and image satisfying as it ties me to my past and my Grandmother who taught me to sew at an early age. She instilled in me, a love of creating with my hands and an appreciation for good cloth.
Much of my work is designed to make a statement. My tapestries of faces represent both historical and contemporary subjects. Using images from burlesque, belly dancing and drag, I am creating a body of work of women baring their bodies in dance and performance art. My figurative tapestries explore sexuality and exposure.
The dichotomy of the ancient medium of tapestry used to express contemporary subjects is a powerful tool. In my work, I use this dichotomy to make a statement that leads the viewer to question traditional conventions.
Artist Bio
I am a figurative artist working in the medium of tapestry. My early work focused on faces. As my career has progressed, more of the figure has come into view. I have been weaving since 1994 switching to tapestry in 2003 when I began an 11 year mentorship with world renowned tapestry artists Archie Brennan and Susan Martin-Maffei. This was a rare opportunity to study with two people who understand tapestry from both a historical and contemporary context, with the skill to impart their knowledge. In 2005 I studied tapestry at West Dean College in England.
I studied costume and textile conservation in The Fashion Institute of Technology Graduate Program and attended the New York School for Interior Design. For several years I was the head of the Costume and Textile Department at the Pascack Historical Museum in New Jersey where I was able to indulge in my other passion, historical costume and textiles. Since moving to Maine in 2012 I have focused my attention on my tapestry work.
On both a national and international platform I have exhibited extensively in solo and group shows, received many awards for my tapestries, lectured, curated and juried exhibits and written for textile publications.