Perfecting Imperfection

Materials and Techniques: Pieced, quilted, and appliquéd; reclaimed vintage and contemporary denim and Japanese cotton; bias tape; hand stitching.

Artwork Statement: The third in a series, this piece was inspired by a Japanese textile art form referred to as “boro." The technique involves the layering of scraps of well-worn fabric, most often indigo dyed, using simple stitching. Literally translated as “ragged” or “repaired,” this strategy facilitated the continual reuse of fabric scraps that would have been costly to replace. Although originating in rural fishing and farming communities, antique boro garments and bedding are now often considered works of art and are coveted by museums and collectors. Even fragments of antique indigo-dyed textile bring significant prices at auction, when you can find them. I received the contemporary quilting cotton and most of the denim in this piece as gifts; the vintage denim is what remained of a pair of coveralls my brothers and I wore as youngsters (most of which went into the making of “Boyville”). The reclaimed brown cotton came from a vintage Japanese garment that was no longer wearable.

Available at https://www.bankonartgallery.com/ in Brazil, IN!