threads and the human body

 

Tongueflower  by April Martin,  burlap and rug-hooking cotton  2014

"I began with the notion of creating a large scale tongue that mapped lumpy taste buds.  The result is a floral/fungus shaped sculpture that oscillates between the abstract and the real.

The highly textured surface connects to the language of the body and simultaneously offers microcosmic and macrocosmic readings that allow for the stitches to be interpreted as accumulations of seeds or as landscapes."

Soreness II  by  Li Chai  polyester thread, fishing line, acupuncture needles, wire  2013

"According to traditional Chinese medicine, stagnation causes pain/soreness.  This soft sculpture of organic form is constructed to imitate an imaginary stagnated mass and explores the theme of soreness both physically and psycho-emotionally."

Play by Marianne Burlew  electrical wire, yarn, wax, rubber, concrete  2014

"I strive to create interactive sculptural and wearable works that explore the relationship between the built world and our bodies.

Beginning with the idea of weaving as the manifestation of humanity's basic need to build and create, I emphasize the commonality between crochet and architectural design by appropriating mathematical patterns and industrial materials into my work.

Through making studies that play with colour, surface, form, patterns and stitch types are accumulated.  These experiments represent an effort to create objects that instigate physical responses between audiences and the materials of a space."

Ned and I went to the Fiberworks biennial at Cambridge Idea Exchange last week.  While I always try to see this juried exhibition, this time was special because our daughter April had a piece (top photos) included.  April is currently working on her MFA in sculpture at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago and uses all kinds of materials to make her conceptual pieces.  

Also included in this post are works by two other artists in the exhibition who work with thread-like materials to make three dimensional objects that reference the body. The text in the post is from the artists' own statements and I was given permission by the gallery to photograph the work.

Fiberworks remains up until November 2.