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| Slinky by Peggy Wiedemann
New
work by 17 artist members of California Fibers debuts on August 11th
with a reception from 5:00-7:00 p.m. for
Tracing the Steps: The Diversity of Fiber.
California Fibers was established in 1970 to support the artistic growth and
professional advancement for contemporary fiber artists based in southern
California. Members of California Fibers are juried by their peers for
acceptance into the organization. Many members have an international exhibition
history and are on the faculty at universities throughout California. The
exhibition runs through October 7, 2012.
Tracing the Steps: The Diversity of Fiber was juried by Dale Carolyn Gluckman who
distinguished herself at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art as the former
curator for costumes and textiles. “The important criteria for me as a juror,”
said Gluckman, “was outstanding craftsmanship, clarity of vision, demonstration
of a thorough knowledge of materials and techniques, and work that was
innovative and inventive. My hope is that the rich, multi-layered works of art
in this exhibition provoke ideas and sensations, challenge emotions and
creativity, and expand the boundaries of conventional ideas of fiber.”
In
addition to the work in the exhibition, the artists have created storyboards
that describe one of their works in the exhibition. This educational component
is a new feature at Visions Art Museum that will deepen the experience of
individual works. More:http://www.quiltvisions.org
Visions Art Museum 2825 Dewey Road, Suite 100 San Diego, CA 92106 |
Summer 2012 News and Exhibits
California State University Long Beach during
Convergence, the biannual weaving conference. July 16 -July 21 with our reception on Saturday,
July 21 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm.
We have four new members exhibiting with us:
Julie Kornblum, Lynn Hodgman, Chari Myers and Kathy Nida.
During the Convergence Conference in Long Beach we have several members exhibiting work.
Visit Utopia Restaurant to see the show "Threads" with work by Carrie Burckle and Michael Rohde.
www.utopiarestaurant.net
Visit the Long Beach Museum of Art to see the exhibit "Small Expressions" curated by Professor of Art ,Carol Shaw-Sutton, showing work by members
Charlotte Bird, Julie Kornblum and Peggy Wiedeman.
http://www.lbma.org/exhibits.html
Please follow the link to see all of the information regarding the Convergence Weavers Conference.
California Fibers members Cameron Taylor-Brown and
Michael Rohde are currently in the group exhibit,
Looming Election: Woven Works at the Craft Study Center.
For the full press release on this exhibit and events during Convergence follow the link:
http://www.craftinamerica.org/press/story_2198.php
Cameron gave a delightful and informative talk about her work, "My Life in Fibers" on June 16th, at the Craft Study Center. You can read more about Cameron on her blog: http://www.camerontaylor-brown.com
Michael Rohde is scheduled to talk about his work on August 4th at the Craft Study Center.
Please follow the link above for more information.
Polly Jacobs Giacchina
NEW FIBER WORK
solo show at The Gallery Next Door 2963 Beech Street, San Diego CA 92102
619.233.6679 Hours Wed-Sun noon to 5pm
Show Dates: June 17 to July 7, 2012
Reception Sunday June 24th 2-5 pm
NEW FIBER WORK
solo show at The Gallery Next Door 2963 Beech Street, San Diego CA 92102
619.233.6679 Hours Wed-Sun noon to 5pm
Show Dates: June 17 to July 7, 2012
INTERVIEW WITH MEMBER POLLY JACOBS GIACCHINA
An occasional series, featuring an interview with one of our members.
What theme or ideas are reoccurring in your work?
My work is a partnership and opportunity for me between my materials and the woven organic forms created.
When did you first become interested in fiber?
"I no longer fight the feeling of entering my studio to “reinvent the wheel”. Reinvention happens all the time with new ideas both physical and mental."
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| Drawn to the Center |
What theme or ideas are reoccurring in your work?
My work is a partnership and opportunity for me between my materials and the woven organic forms created.
The interpretation of material has always
been a challenge and my focus.
Finding
materials that I could shape and control to get the forms I wanted is an
ongoing pursuit.
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| Tower Swirl |
When I was first introduced
to the fiber world, it came from two different perspectives.
At San Diego State University, in 1971, Joan Austin was beginning to show the importance of sculptural fiber. We used basic basketry and off loom techniques, to develop three dimensional ideas that were not to be functional. I was also very interested in textile design and silk screening of fabrics.
The other view was from Misti Washington, a wonderful basket weaver that shared her home and ideas on natural fibers and traditional basketry. It was the beginning for me to explore the natural materials that were so abundant in my own environment.
It was a good time to be experimenting in fiber, as the field was being developed and appreciated. After doing many, many functional baskets that were sold in stores, I was able to develop ideas towards a sculptural vision.
At San Diego State University, in 1971, Joan Austin was beginning to show the importance of sculptural fiber. We used basic basketry and off loom techniques, to develop three dimensional ideas that were not to be functional. I was also very interested in textile design and silk screening of fabrics.
The other view was from Misti Washington, a wonderful basket weaver that shared her home and ideas on natural fibers and traditional basketry. It was the beginning for me to explore the natural materials that were so abundant in my own environment.
It was a good time to be experimenting in fiber, as the field was being developed and appreciated. After doing many, many functional baskets that were sold in stores, I was able to develop ideas towards a sculptural vision.
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| Crimson Strata |
What about the medium of fiber appeals to you?
Date palm
seed stalk became my material of choice.
Available to harvest in the area, it allowed me to weave on a larger
scale. Over time I have searched to
find a way to introduce color with the earth tone hues I have from nature. Painting canvas and twining it along with the
natural materials has been a great evolution for my work. I could still use the date palm in its
natural state and use acrylics to voice another layer in my weaving.
Who would you like to critique your work?
An important
part of my development in how to critique and view my work came from
collaborative meetings with both Dave Davis and Don Weeke. It is such an amazing experience when you
come together with artists that are at a similar level to your work and
have equivalent appreciation to nature
and it possibilities. We’d choose an
inspirational word and weave our own interpretation using our own
techniques. We would then come together
to meet and critique. It is very
important for me to be comfortable with those that critique my work and that I
have a mutual respect for. This was an invigorating environment helping me to develop my own voice
with my weaving. It lasted more than 10
years and sadly ended when Dave passed away.
I still count on Don to help me from time to time with his invaluable
point of view.
What are your creative challenges?
I am often
not sure how to verbalize the feelings and pleasures I receive from the actual
doing of my art. It is both satisfying
and challenging and I feel lucky to continue to weave.
I no longer fight the feeling of entering my studio to “reinvent the wheel”. Reinvention happens all the time with new ideas both physical and mental.
I no longer fight the feeling of entering my studio to “reinvent the wheel”. Reinvention happens all the time with new ideas both physical and mental.