Sheila Hicks at Sikkema Jenkins Co.

Araucario, 2011 | linen and tree branches

Sheila Hicks on view at Sikkema Jenkins Co. thru April 5, 2014

"Over the course of a career that spans five decades, Hicks has distinguished herself as one of the preeminent and most innovative artists working in the woven form. With textiles as her chosen medium, she has consistently sought to expand the boundaries of the art form to create distinctive work that belongs as much to art history as it does to modernist design and architecture. The gallery will exhibit both large-scale wall installations as well as a group of minims – framed miniature weavings made on a small portable loom that have been a part of Hicks’s practice for over 50 years." – Sikkema Jenkins Co.

Hicks’s work will also be included in this year’s Whitney Biennial on view from March 7 through May 25, 2014.

Artist | Maker Profile : Neha Vedpathak

Snowmass (2010) | snow, turmeric, and kumkum by Neha Vedpathak

Cloud (2010) | soil, water, turmeric by Neha Vedpathak

Time (detail, 2013) | soil, water, turmeric by Neha Vedpathak

"For me the unsaid says the most, making each expression imperative. I work using different materials like handmade paper, mirror and natural substances like turmeric, flowers, leaves and soil. I endeavor to manipulate these media to explore a number of visual possibilities in the realms of subtlety and minimalism. " – Neha Vedpathak

I first came across the work of Neha Vedpathak via Chicago-based ceramicist, curator, and gallerist, Jayson Lawfer. He is the founder and director of The Nevica Project, and his wise showcasing of Neha's prints and soil drawings during 2013 was rather eye opening for me.

Soil Drawing 05 (2013) by Neha Vedpathak

Perhaps it is the micro | macro aspects of these drawings as well as the mass arrangement of materials that makes these works so timely. With all of the discussion about environmental practice in the arts, organic form building, and the slowing down of modern methods in craft, design, and fashion – working directly with the possibilities of soil and its ritual applications seems to be uniquely in touch with shifting landscape interactions and interior dialogue.

Another view of Soil Drawing 05 (2013) by Neha Vedpathak

This video from Neha's exhibition, The Space Between (2103) at N'Namdi Contemporary in Miami, describes her handwork methods and artist philosophy in more detail. (Do not miss the passage on her unique paper making technique called 'plucking'). The packing of soil and delicate nature of plucking fiber in and on the paper surface demonstrates an energy transference of sorts that the artist has experimented with as an examination of cultural connection, grounding ritualistic practice, and the highlighting of delicate | resilient states. 

You can learn more about Neha Vedpathak here.

See also Neha Vedpathak at The Nevica Project.

Designer | Maker Flashback: Julia Björkeheim

AW13 'Lining Collection' by Julia Björkeheim | Photography by Karin Öström

Snow Bound Artifacts

Lost in Fiber | artifact 'pelt' with knitting by Courtney Cedarholm

and one-ply yarn by Josi Faye in Tennessee

This just might be one of the longest breaks that I have taken with my artist blog. This winter has been quite something for a lot of folks, and my recent whirlwind trip to NYC to take care of household and work-related matters really took a lot out of me. The good news is that I was lifted up by the input of talented makers who are contributing to Lost in Fiber | The Gathering and supportive friends who have provided valuable feedback.

Cord 'scraps' from Doug Johnston's studio nested with 'oya lace' from Bazaar Bayar in Turkey, my own vintage threads, and Balmaseda recycled textile yarn

Once I return to Sofia and finally unpack all of the latest gathered bits and creations, I will finally update the project's webpage with information on how I am transitioning from the 'gathering' to the 'artifact' stage. I have, quite honestly, loved integrating and documenting these 'scrap' materials with vintage textiles and organic forms that I have collected over time.

Vintage textile border from Prague with fiber artifacts from NYC and Sofia

Look for more profiles on 'Lost in Fiber' contributors and studio visits during the weeks to come. I also intend to do site-specific photo shoots with new artifacts in the land and in select cultural and geographic settings this spring and summer while traveling.

Things keep rolling onwards – slowly, with organic momentum, and connected at the core. We promise to come to a standstill next autumn in NYC so that folks can experience the pieces in person and share in some of the interactive dialogue. 

Patterns and Textiles | Shows On The Go

Detail from Ferran Adrià | Notes on Creativity at the Drawing Center   

Ferran Adrià | Notes on Creativity installation detail with molded forms

Detail of Nathan Vincent | Locker Room 2011

 Queer Threads | Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art

Detail from L. J. Roberts | "The Queer Houses of Brooklyn …"

 Queer Threads | Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art

Fabio Costa 'Folk Couture' at the American Folk Art Museum

Koos van den Akker 'Folk Couture' at the American Folk Art Museum

threeASFOUR laser-cut flower print dress with 'Friendship Star Quilt'

 'Folk Couture' at the American Folk Art Museum

Gary Graham Jacquard-engineered 'Folk Couture' at the American Folk Art Museum

Textile | costume detail of Mario Testino's Alta Moda | Peru

Ornament | costume detail of Mario Testino's Alta Moda | Peru

Beautiful patterns and textiles I have observed while moving through space in NYC these past few days. 

All photos are by me for your viewing and my growing archive. 

Make It Monday | Between the In-Between

Lost in Fiber: The Gathering | January 2014 | photo by Abigail Doan

These are images that address what lies between the in-between. I am traveling to NYC soon for work and a family related visit. My palette will shift to the objects and forms in my studio there as well as the light of new environs. 

Central Sofia | January 2014 | photo by Abigail Doan

Central Sofia | January 2014 | photo by Abigail Doan

I never feel far away from home, no matter where I roam. Fiber keeps me connected as does the global weather, the constantly changing (unpredictable) atmosphere, and the climate that I observe very closely. 

Lost in Fiber: The Gathering | January 2014 | photo by Abigail Doan

I am increasingly focused on the in-between states and the connective tissue in my life. This is what feels most real for me, or rather continues to reveal an overall texture map as I simply work with materials, from here to there and back.

See you on the other side for a mid-winter update on Lost in Fiber:The Gathering.