After four months, seventy hours stitching and countless hours considering design and construction...today’s the day I completed my mammoth Earth Stories piece! I still need to sign, photograph, title, create the requisite 9″x 12″ accompanying piece, work on the artist statement and compile the process journal. So lots of details until I am officially finished but the big girls are done! The photography of all pieces is due November 1.
This work is about the impact sustainable architecture is making on a moving planet. And while I cannot reveal the completed work before the exhibit opens in May 2014 I can tease with detail shots. I designed two vertical panels to hang within the requisite 72″ square space.
The dark panel (right) represents the Earth in flux with stitched segments layered upon each other. The lighter panel (left) is screen-printed with building shapes to reflect structures both standing and falling with the Earth’s movement. It too is constructed in stitched segments laid upon each other. The challenge was not only in design and construction but how to also make the pieces pop and correlate.
I learned so much along the way from reminders of how paint can provide much needed contrast in an otherwise neutral palette; how important it is to keep tabs on the working dimension especially in non-geometric forms; how just the right sharp scissors can make a world of difference in turning endless 90 degree angle corners. The pillowcase seaming required minimally 500 x 90 degree corners. And how I don’t have to do everything! Most importantly I learned to trust my gut, to get out of my own way and silence the inner critic. After much consternation I went with my initial vision and it worked!
As I wrap up the loose ends of this project my mind is busy thinking about what is next…something small is very appealing! I yearn to get back to dyeing and printing which certainly will take me somewhere. Wherever it is perhaps this segmented odd-shaped work will inspire new direction.
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