My work is informed by the lush landscapes and historic character of my home in the Lowcountry of coastal South Carolina. When I am thinking about a new piece, I look around and see many possibilities. Before beginning, I often take photographs and may even do some additional reading or interviewing about the subject of my piece. I then start to work letting the materials guide me in an intuitive manner.
This year’s Art Cloth Network juried exhibit theme,” Intersections”, inspired me of make art works informed by the Rails to Trails Conservancy, a national system of connecting trails used for biking and walking.
The Beaufort, South Carolina section of the trail is called the Spanish Moss Trail with 10 miles of trail that have repurposed the former Magnolia Rail Train Line, rich with history and local color. I took photos of buildings and foliage along the path, a small portion of the railroad bed that can be seen intersecting it and sections of the new paved trail.
The selection of materials proved a challenge, but that came together when I found some artifacts and dove into my stash of vintage fabrics and trims. I determined that the materials needed a historic appearance that could to achieved by wrapping fabrics and vintage handwork around rusted objects found along the trail and in the foundry where the metal was smelted to build and repair the track. The fabrics and handwork were then tea dyed.
I worked in small sections and hand stitched the pieces together with scatter stitches and French knots. This not only connected the pieces, but added interest and helped tell the story. I mounted the piece on white cotton and continued to stitch in an intuitive manner.
Here is a photo of the completed piece.
Rails to Trails 1
18.5"W x 14"H
Here are some detail shots.
No comments:
Post a Comment