Object Impermanence

Techniques and materials: Pieced and quilted, machine and hand-sewn appliqué; hand-dyed (by Cherrywood), handwoven (by Jennifer Johnson), and batik cotton, Indian metallic trim.

Artwork statement: According to developmental psychologists, object permanence is a milestone of early childhood cognition. It refers to the understanding that things, including people, continue to exist even if they are out of sight. Impermanence, on the other hand, is a Buddhist concept referring to the idea that the only thing that is permanent is change. Perhaps there is value to achieving object permanence even though everything is constantly in a state of flux. Object Impermanence is an attempt to depict this dissonance.

This piece represents a collaboration of sorts. The Cherrywood fabric was acquired from a friend who needed to downsize her fabric stash. I purchased the handwoven pieces from an accomplished weaver who intended them as napkins. I let her know that I intended to use her work in an art piece rather than at a picnic and she gave me her blessing to do so. The metallic trim came from a couple of handwoven and hand-dyed scarves that I acquired from a gallery that specializes in Indian textiles. The proprietor shared them with me at a significant discount because the dye was sufficiently uneven that she was uncomfortable selling them for them intended use.

Purchase inquiries welcome