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Special work available for purchase |
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Syncopated Harmonies © 1999 30"x30"x2" each of 21 panels fiber reactive dyes on cotton fabric hand painted and screen printed woven collage construction metallic and rayon threads, tulle, glass seed beads machine stitched, hand beaded wooden support frames SYNCOPATED HARMONIES was created to be viewed in large open spaces or in small groupings throughout hallways. The design is versatile in that it can be installed in many different configurations. The first time it was displayed was at the Portland Museum of Art, in Portland, Maine. For that exhibition, the panels were arranged in a very large square grid (approx. 150"x150"). You can see this installation if you click here. The overall view of the work is pictured and there are also several pictures of some of the individual panels. Also, there are two detail pictures so you can see the intricacy of the work. I imagine that the panels could be arranged in one long horizontal line in a wide corridor, in pairs throughout an office space, in groups of four, and in many other configurations. This flexibility is intriguing and exciting and just plain fun! In developing the work, I was aware that people would receive the greatest visual impression immediately upon seeing the work from a considerable distance. My work has been characteristically highly detailed with rich and layered surfaces. So, this realization of needing to "capture" the audience from a distance created quite a challenge for me. I decided to make a very simple composition, and to focus on the interplay of subtle color variations juxtaposed with strong blocks of central color shapes. The central bold color squares will appear to vibrate or pull forward out of their surrounding "dull" colors, drawing the viewers in for a closer look. At that point, one can revel in the heavily detailed and textured surfaces. I enjoy creating large works. The physical activity involved in making big work is exciting to me. In this case, I decided to make a big statement out of many little ones! So, there are twenty-one panels in the group. An interesting number for grouping considerations! I see syncopated harmonies in each individual panel and in the interplay of all the panels as they are grouped on a wall. One discovers that some colors repeat, while some are unique to one panel. The positioning of the small "blips" of color in each panel changes within the panels and is not necessarily balanced symmetrically. Odd bits of metallic threads pop out here and there. The overall impression is one of serenity and peacefulness. There is a lot of color in these pieces, but it is employed in subtle combinations. The square within a square composition creates a mandala-like image, one that gives the opportunity for restful meditation-like viewing. EXHIBITIONS SYNCOPATED HARMONIES has been exhibited in several venues throughout the United States since its creation in 1999. They include: 2005 LOCA left of center artworks, Brunswick, ME (all 21 panels) 2002 FANTASTIC FIBERS, Yeiser Art Center, Paducah, KY (9 panels) 2001 ARROWMONT FACULTY EXHIBITION, Arrowmont School, Gatlinburg, TN (6 panels) 2000 MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE ALUMNAE EXHIBITION, Frog Hollow Gallery, Middlebury, VT (12 panels) FABRIC AND FIBER '99, Invitational Exhibition, Portland Museum of Art, Portland, ME (all 21 panels). It is my sincere hope that SYNCOPATED HARMONIES will find a good home in the near future! Please contact me if you have interest in this work and/or if you have questions about it. I would love to talk about it with you. Can't you just see it gracing your office!?! |
