Surreal Fiber Art
Emmanuel Episcopal Church is currently hosting the exhibition “Descending / Rising” by Michael Sylvan Robinson (originally a costume designer and performance artist, and now a fiber artist), in the church’s newly renovated gallery space on Read Street. Thursday evening was the opening reception, which I attended with friends.
I was immediately blown away by the size of the collection. The colors and textiles, with so many elaborate patterns, are so deeply penetrating. I was constantly in motion, eager to move onto the next piece, curious to study the style and patterns, the interest in fetish vs. beauty, the manipulation of fabrics, and the surreal, dreamlike feel. It’s all so imaginative!
What I enjoyed most was The Burning Times Project. The artist’s description… “This on-going project began in 2006; it is a work of remembrance, honoring the women and men killed as witches during the Witch Trial Era. This project began with the gathering of the real names and stories of lost lives, as expedition into our past (and too often present) of violence and fear-based persecution. Based on newly translated documentation of this history, my investigation into this fearful period is directed through a lens of gender theory, while also examining the connections between the Witch Trial Era and the rise of capitalism and colonialism.
Over the past several years, this project has included installations, a memorial wall of names stitched onto a large tapestry (‘The Shroud of Remembrance’ – currently one completed 4 x 9 foot panel), the creation of poetic text to give voice to the victims, and most importantly, handmade puppets representing the individuals executed as witches.”
You don’t want to miss this exhibit. There’s a special beauty here. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Michael. To my friends, thank you for joining me. As always, I appreciate the pre and post cocktails and conversation, and laughter too.
I’m always in awe of artists, because they help me tap into my own creativity. More importantly, they motivate communities, inspiring others to improve. I’ve always liked the quote from George Bernard Shaw – “Without art, the crudeness of reality would make the world unbearable.” How true! Here’s to your weekend. Thrive! – paerki
I was immediately blown away by the size of the collection. The colors and textiles, with so many elaborate patterns, are so deeply penetrating. I was constantly in motion, eager to move onto the next piece, curious to study the style and patterns, the interest in fetish vs. beauty, the manipulation of fabrics, and the surreal, dreamlike feel. It’s all so imaginative!
What I enjoyed most was The Burning Times Project. The artist’s description… “This on-going project began in 2006; it is a work of remembrance, honoring the women and men killed as witches during the Witch Trial Era. This project began with the gathering of the real names and stories of lost lives, as expedition into our past (and too often present) of violence and fear-based persecution. Based on newly translated documentation of this history, my investigation into this fearful period is directed through a lens of gender theory, while also examining the connections between the Witch Trial Era and the rise of capitalism and colonialism.
Over the past several years, this project has included installations, a memorial wall of names stitched onto a large tapestry (‘The Shroud of Remembrance’ – currently one completed 4 x 9 foot panel), the creation of poetic text to give voice to the victims, and most importantly, handmade puppets representing the individuals executed as witches.”
You don’t want to miss this exhibit. There’s a special beauty here. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Michael. To my friends, thank you for joining me. As always, I appreciate the pre and post cocktails and conversation, and laughter too.
I’m always in awe of artists, because they help me tap into my own creativity. More importantly, they motivate communities, inspiring others to improve. I’ve always liked the quote from George Bernard Shaw – “Without art, the crudeness of reality would make the world unbearable.” How true! Here’s to your weekend. Thrive! – paerki
