DIALOGUE WITH FI2019 ARTISTS

The Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh presents 3 new programs, please join us!
Fiberart International 2019 is still on view in Pittsburgh through August 24, 2019 at Contemporary Craft and Brew House Association galleries., Three free programs will introduce you to FI2019 exhibitors. who will discuss their work, and their approach to practicing art in the fiber medium. We invite you to join us, see the show and engage in conversation with these talented artists!

August 17 Saturday – 2:00-4:00
MEDIUM AS MESSAGE:

Featuring: PATI BEACHLEY, PATTY KENNEDY- ZAFRED  & MELINDA STEES

Pati Beachley

Patricia Kennedy-Zafred

Melinda Stees

 

 

 

 

 

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A Dialogue with FI19 Artist Louise Silk

When: Tuesday July 16, 2019 11am to 1pm
Where: Contemporary Craft in the Strip District. 2100 Smallman St., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222

Join us for a presentation by Louise Silk at Contemporary Craft. Louise, a Fiberart International 2019 artist and author, will speak about her “giant” blue jean piece in the gallery, how her process evolved, her well known memory quilts and why she uses recycled materials. Bring a lunch or have lunch in the Strip following her talk.Continue Reading

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Technology

Written by Jean Thomas

How about techniques fiber artists choose?
Exploring digital techniques.
Once more I consulted earlier FI catalogs.

Starting in 1999 there were two samples, Denis Sargent with a digital print.Continue Reading

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Materials

Written by Jean Thomas

More about material fiber artists choose.

Lori Lupe Pelish FI07 artist

In my recent blog post I wrote about some of the unusual fiber materials that were chosen by artists whose work is in previous Internationals. So now it’s time to survey the usual or more frequent choices.Continue Reading

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UNUSUAL FIBER

Written by Jean ThomasMany of us who identify ourselves as a fiber artist have encountered this question:  What is a fiber artist or what exactly do you mean by fiber.  We could reply with one of these definitions of fiber:

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Browsing the catalogs

Written by Jean Thomas

Ever so often I browse through my collection of Fiberart Intertational catalogs, starting with 2001. I joined the Guild in 1999 or thereabouts. So here are a few statistics and observations. The 2001 and 2004 catalogs were a modest 6×9 inches with 116 and 88 pages respectively. In 2007 the catalog size grew to 8 1/2 x 11 inches with128 pages.Continue Reading

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My work is…….

As fiber artists  complete their entry forms for Fiberart International 2019 there is always that blank to fill out for an “Artist Statement.” For some it’s an easy assignment.  For others it poses a real challenge.  So here is a sample of opening phrases gleaned from catalogs for previous Internationals.
My work is a response to——–
Joanna Donchatz – FI13 artist
My work is a response to my family history and homeplace of Appalachia. The weavings are composed like collages from photographs, text, documents, drawings, and maps. My grandfather’s coal mining experience led me to reflect on its impact. The fractal-like image of the lung is a symbol of his illness and references veins, fingerprints, streams, trees, roots, mountain ranges, cracks, faults, and fractures. They map the destruction both of the landscape and of my grandfather’s health. The traditional quilt motif is an important reoccurring element as a metaphor for the landscape of Appalachia, comfort, and family.

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Down Fiberart International Memory Lane

One of our long-time members was doing some deep housecleaning recently and came upon a Fiberart International treasure trove from the past—a 20th century prospectus, invitation, catalog, and review. I was delighted to get my hands on these juicy historical treats. They conjure lost memories and significant milestones in Fiberart International’s history.

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