Fringe Benefits

Techniques and materials: Pieced and quilted, hand-woven textile by the Hmong people of Sapa in northwestern Vietnam, hand-dyed cotton, machine embroidery, hand stitching. Mounted on gallery wrapped canvas.

Artwork Statement: I have long admired the handiwork of the Sapa people of northwestern Vietnam but have never had the opportunity to visit. An acquaintance who had had that pleasure brought a small woven textile home from his visit years ago but the souvenir had been stowed out of view ever since. While perusing one of my shows, he mentioned having this treasure and asked if I’d be interested in doing something with it. Delighted by his generosity, I accepted his kind offer. Although tricky to work with, I ended up making three small works with pieces of the beautifully woven sampler. Much to his surprise (and apparent delight), I gifted the first piece in the series to him and have been told it now hangs in his office. I’m so happy to have been able to bring a nearly forgotten souvenir back into public view!

Fringe Benefits earned Honorable Mention at the annual Fiber Art Juried Show at Gaslight Art Colony & Gallery in Marshall IL July 19-Sept 13 2025.

Purchased inquiries welcome!