Boundary Crossing

Techniques and Materials: Machine pieced and quilted African wax prints, hand-twisted cording, couching, machine embroidery.

Artist Statement: I acquired the African wax prints in this piece from a young woman who had collected them as mementos of the time she spent in Africa. After having them in storage untouched for several years, she decided to offer them for sale. I was delighted to stumble onto her listing on Marketplace and enjoyed our brief conversation about her work in Africa. I should see if I still have her contact information. Perhaps she would enjoy how I put some of her collection to use!

I have also been contemplating how to make marks and lines with fiber as many artists like Miro and Kandinsky achieved with paint. The biggest difference between using paint and using fiber, of course, is that a painter can make their mark with a single brush stroke in a matter of seconds, whereas with embroidery (couching, in this case) it takes dozens, if not hundreds, of stitches — and minutes, if not hours, to achieve the desired result. I enjoy the texture and the detail it can create. It is a time consuming way to make simple marks but it is also satisfying on a number of levels.

Purchase inquiries welcome!