Arts Benicia’s June exhibition features an exciting textile show that redefines perceptions of what fiber art can be. Thread Count: New Directions in Fiber Art, includes 42 works of textile and fiber art from artists across the country.
High on the list of things to do, this event is a non-traditional take on traditional methods of fiber art such as embroidery, knitting, crocheting, doily-making, felting, tapestries and others are presented in the form of wall hangings, wearables, sculpture, installation art, and in participatory art where viewers can take part in an art project. Many of the pieces in the show are large-scale works.
Artist Erna Metzger used Joomchi, a century-old, labor-intensive Korean paper felting technique, to create her piece titled Remnants and Recollections. Fiber and sculptor artist Bodil Fox works with unusual materials such as fortune cookie notes and lampshades; her piece, More, is made with fabric and wood. Simplicity Girls, by professor Lanna Frisby, is a delightfully detailed embroidery of a vintage pattern image.
Photo courtesy of the artist Things To Come by Linda Hubbard |
Exhibition juror Susan Taber Avila, whose work has been widely exhibited nationally and internationally, is Professor of Design at UC Davis. She … “focuses on repurposing waste from the garment industry into new textile structures and combines traditional handcrafts with technology,” according to her website. Themes for some of the artwork include war, death, racism, misogyny and nudity, so discretion may be advised for children.
Four events are planned in conjunction with the exhibit. First up, June 2 at noon is the public reception for the exhibition opening, with complimentary wine 6-8pm. On June 3, Family Art Day will feature a free fiber art activity in the Arts Benicia classroom, then on June 7, 6-7pm; Arts Benicia members are invited to enjoy a guided walk-through of the exhibit at Meet the Juror, led by Taber Avila. June 9, 2-5pm, Ramekon O'Arwisters offers Crochet Jam, a thought-provoking social engagement project that began in 2012, where audiences are invited to participate in public art making.
Arts Benicia, the hub of our arts community, puts on varied exhibitions and events throughout the year. Memberships start at $35 per year, but for $100, members receive two North American Reciprocal Museum cards, which includes free admission to art institutions all over North America, including California museums such the deYoung, Legion of Honor, Crocker Art Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Oakland Museum, Asian Art Museum, Di Rosa and many others.
Thread Count: New Directions in Fiber Art at the Arts Benicia Gallery
Arts Benicia, June 2-July 1 2018
991 Tyler Street #114
707-747-0131
artsbenicia.org
Public Reception June 2, 6-8pm
Family Art Day June 3
Crochet Jam June 9, 2-5pm
Companion alt photo text: Things To Come by Linda Hubbard
