Body & Soul Series |
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The first two needleworks in this series are the results of witnessing my father's death from congestive heart failure in May, 2010. This personal experience was heartbreaking to come to terms with, and as with most of life's difficult moments, I turn to art in helping to find a path back to center. The body images in these embroideries and assemblages are inspired by engravings dating from the late Victorian era through the early part of the twentieth century. The vintage lace and other found objects add a fragile quality to help emulate the emotional response I have felt and wish to evoke visually. Addressing health and mortality issues, as well as spirituality, is the focus of this continuing series.
'My Father' shadow box; Heart surface embroidery on cotton, various threads, found object; 12 5/8 x 12 5/8 x 9 1/4 inches
'Last Breath'; shadow box; Lungs counted thread embroidery on lugana fabric, various threads, vintage lace, beads; 20 1/2 9 3/4 x 1 1/4 inches
'Your Body is The Temple' shadow box; Vertebrae surface embroidery on vintage doily, counted thread embroidery on linen, various threads; 13 x 13 1 1/4 inches
'Released' shadow box; Hand surface embroidery on linen, various threads, vintage lace, found objects; 9 x 9 1 1/4 inches
'Se'ar' assemblage in found frame; needleweaving on screen, button on paper, human hair on silk, vintage lace & hairpins on silk; 4 1/2 x 7 3/4 x 4 1/2 inches
'Vision & Virtue' shadow box; Eye silk thread surface embroidery on cotton, vintage lace & scissors with pearls mounted on silk; 9 x 9 x 1 1/4 inches
'Blindsided' scroll; The viewer's reflection is an intricate component. vintage lace backed with mirror, hand stitched silk organza with beads; 57 x 15 x 3/8 inches
'Absolution: Mind Over Matter' assemblage: (a) shadow box; brain couched in Japanese gold threads mounted on silk. (b) found wood shaving frame, vintage First Communion veil with bead embellishments; 30 x 13 3/4 x 4 inches
'Transfiguration' assemblage: (a) collage; oval frame, Thorax with ribs printed on silk organza, paper dragonfly with silk organza wings, vintage doily and medal (b) vintage lace wallpaper; 11 1/2 x 9 1/2 1 inches
'Transfiguration' detail
'Where Do Souls Go?' assemblage; (a) found metal box, Phrenological model printed on silk organza, found objects; (open) 6 3/4 x 6 3/4 x 3 3/4 inches (b) vintage lace with eight embroidered moths; 49 x 4 1/2 inches
'Where Do Souls Go?' detail |
