Hey all! It's been awhile, but I keep getting updates on friends joining the mailing list, so I figure I should post! I really should have posted this about 3 months ago, but you know how life goes... I recently had the pleasure of exhibiting some knitted art at Bountiful Davis Art Center in Bountiful, UT. I had this thought in the back of my head for several years and I finally got up the courage to put my ideas out there! Anyway, click on the read more link below for all of the details.
From left to right: "Tree of Life" (Shetland Lace), "Silvia" (Estonian Lace), "Beautiful" (Estonian Lace)
Some years ago, I was watching a knitting show on PBS that featured Nancy Bush, a prominent knitter, who had written a book all about Estonian knitted lace. Before this, I had no idea that one could knit lace, so it fascinated me. I immediately began doing research and learning about how to read charts. The work is so intricate and sometimes very difficult, I just had to give it a try. I started out with samplers, then I incorporated designs into hats and dresses. It was just so interesting. I wanted to make a shawl, but I didn't think I would ever use it. So I just kept playing around.
Close up of "Tree of Life" (Shetland Lace)
About the same time I learned about knitted lace, I began to learn about alternative yarns (hence my post about t-shirt yarn, plarn, magarn...). Anytime you come across a new yarn, the immediate thought is, "What can I make with this?" With plarn the most obvious answer is a market bag. However, it is also used to make mats for the homeless. Anyway, I began fusing the idea of plastic bag yarn and lace by incorporating intricate designs into basic market bags. This was a lot of work and I didn't think it would be appreciated or sold for a reasonable amount. That's when my mind turned to art. I felt like this could be a great outlet.
From top to bottom: "Smocking" (Aran Cable), "Loops and Spirals" (Aran Cable), "Wide Cable" (Aran Cable)
I began researching the history of many of these patterns and learned that during the 1900s, many communities were sustained economically because of the unique patterns that were created and passed down as part of the culture. I latched on to Estonian lace originally because it is what inspired me in the first place, but I also added Shetland lace as it has a similar history. Aran cables came into the mix because, well I just really like making them! Most of all, I really loved the idea of juxtaposing patterns that sustained a community and were a big part of the culture with a material that, today, we see as disposable. I also like the fact that, at least for me, it raises the question, "what are we leaving the next generation?"
Close up of "Wide Cable" (Aran Cable)
Anyway, so these ideas were swirling around in my head without any sense of full formation, until last year, when I received an email from Bountiful Davis Art Center announcing that they were looking for exhibit proposals. I thought, why not? This seems pretty cool, maybe other people will like it. So I submitted. Around the same time, submissions were being accepted for a statewide competition at the Rio Gallery in Salt Lake City, UT. I submitted for that too and was accepted to both. Earlier this year, I received an email from a gallery in Salt Lake City, UT called Draw, Inc. asking if I would like to exhibit there too. I did a show with my grandmother and mother there.
"Woven Cable" (Aran Cable)
Truth be told, I don't really see myself as an artist, but more of a maker. So, this is a whole new realm for me. I'm really not sure where it will go, but I am hoping that these pieces won't just sit in my basement. I've been pretty busy with some other projects, but I'm hoping to reach out to some local galleries in the near future. If you know of anyone, let me know! Also, if you are interested in details or pricing of any of the pieces shown here, shoot me an email at [email protected]
Close up "Woven Cable" (Aran Cable)
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