May 30, 2004
What I am working on now...
Now that I can sustain a creative thought for a few minutes, I am making headway on a kimono quilt that I began months ago. The inception of the design was influenced by kimono paintings by Miriam Schapiro. This also began, in a way, by echoing Magritte's The Treason of Images series of a pipe investigating the imagery of an object instead of the actual object: "This is not a pipe". This was a fiber construction of a painting of a garment; this is not a kimono.
That entry path was soon re-directed. The embroidery that is the focus of the main top panel began to build on more subtle associations in my mind. The landscape of the embroidery is Tuscany. Once I had the great fortune to have one of the brothers at the St Francis church at Assist Italy open the tiny back window that frames an incredible view of the Tuscan landscape. It truly was like looking into paradise. That line led me into thinking of icons and reliquaries
One of my favorite paintings from the National Gallery in Washington DC, Gerard David's 'Rest on the Flight into Egypt' found it's way into the work, along with lots of velvet, silk and sequins. This is turning into a statement about everyday saints though, so I am hearing my button collection crying out to be included. There also really is a scarlet background cloth coming - possibly with some rebuses.
Wow! It feels great to have a moment for art again!
Posted by sfenton at May 30, 2004 10:48 AMSerena, the kimono work looks like great fun. Is the leaf edges around the icon the same as what you are going to put around the landscape?
I know that the shape is vaguely kimono-ish, but with the details you've added, it reminds me of a Renaissance dress, lush and lovely. cheers, June
Posted by: june at May 31, 2004 02:17 AMThe roads and side passages art can lead you down are so fantastic! This weekend we saw the Whitney Biennial, I came out with an expansive, rejuvinated mind.
Keep it up! More art, everyday.
